The 207/08 Rwanda national football league will start on November 17, local governing body, Ferwafa has confirmed.

Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer said yesterday that they have decided to have the league starts in the middle of next month so as to give national team technicians a chance to select a strong squad for this year’s Senior Challenge Cup that starts December 8-22 in Arusha, Tanzania.

"We want to ensure that our national football league kicks off early which in a way would assist the federation in selecting a formidable team that will take part in Cecafa championship,” Jules Kalisa said.

Kalisa further added that starting the league next month will guarantee that the season is likely to end within the planned timeframe. Ferwafa wants to league to over by next June.

"We want to have the same league schedule with different football leagues in the region as well as on the continent. This will help in early preparations for regional and continental championships.

 "This will help the technical people to identify players fit for the national team,” Kalisa noted.

The federation CEO admitted that failure to start the league next month will hamper the country’s chances for a serious challenge for the regional championship in Arusha.

He added that Ferwafa is working around the clock to have a formidable team which will go to Tanzania and bring home the cup.

Rwanda won third position in last year’s edition held in Ethiopia with the regional trophy going to Sudan after losing 0-1 to non Cecafa members, Zambia in the finals.

Next season’s national football league will be composed of 12 clubs, two less than the usual 14.

Last season, four clubs Espoir, Jeunesse, Umurabyo and Zebres were relegated while Electrogaz and Military won promotion from the second division.
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