Bryan Ngwabije made his debut international for Rwanda during the 2-0 victory over Central African Republic (CAR) in a friendly match last Friday, June 3. He was among the starting 11.
Three days later, he started on the bench and came on in the final 20 minutes as Rwanda, this time, thrashed CAR 5-0 in their first encounter. Ngwabije was impressive in both matches.
The towering defender spoke to France Football – organisers of the famous Ballon d’Or – about his experience representing Rwanda, and his optimism about the future with the team.
Excerpts:
France Football: Rwanda had been waiting for many months for a pro player based in France, Stéphanois Kévin Monnet-Paquet, of Rwandan mother. On arrival, it is you who disembarked and left a very good impression!
Ngwabije: I had been the subject of approaches in recent months but I did not feel ready to join the selection yet. The country contacted me for the first time after a Coupe de France match against OM (Editor’s note: He had scored for Andrézieux). It had had a certain impact on the spot. And then it happened.
France Football: What can you tell us about your Rwandan roots?
Ngwabije: My parents are both native to the country. They joined Europe and France after the genocide. I was born in France. But from a young age, I grew up listening to my parents speak Kinyarwanda. I understand it but don’t speak it. I came to Kigali ten years ago, and I remember that I was going to see the Amahoro stadium. Playing it was a childhood dream, I had ideas that came to me.
France Football: Tell us about the circumstances of your arrival in selection ...
Ngwabije: I was summoned for the friendly double confrontation against the Central African Republic while I was on leave for several weeks. It turns out that with my brother, we had planned to go to Kigali. The day before departure, I was warned that I was expected in selection! I arrived on May 29th, and the next day, I was celebrating my 23rd birthday! I was also able to attend the semi-final of the BAL (the African Basketball Champions League) of the Patriotes, the Rwandan club, organized in Kigali in our superb indoor hall, as there are few in France!
France Football: What was the reception of Vincent Mashami, your coach?
Ngwabije: There was no problem since he speaks Kinyarwanda, English and French. I thank him in passing, as well as the technical staff, for having welcomed me so well. I discovered a talented group, with young beginners like me but also quality old ones.
France Football: How did he use you?
Ngwabije: He started me in the first game in the middle, and we won 2-0. I came into play during our second victory (5-0) twenty minutes from the end, this time as a left side. With all that I have seen, I really want to experience something with this selection, which is still in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2022 (Editor’s note: It will be in September in the group of Mali, Uganda and Kenya). I feel 100% Amavubi and I hope I have convinced the Rwandan people to trust this new generation. But very clearly, I was not sure where I was putting my crampons on disembarking, compared to the level of our selection.
France Football: You are now enjoying a few days of vacation in the country ...
Ngwabije: That’s it! We went to have a good time near one of the country’s great lakes, and now we’re going to recharge our batteries near Cyangugu, near the border with DR Congo, where my family is from! ”
This article was originally published on France Football.