A host of the current players of the national football team are getting to the twilight of their career as they are heading to their 30’s or are above that age.
Skipper Haruna Niyonzima is 31 years, Meddie Kagere is 35, Jacques Tuyisenge 30, and Ernest Sugira has also attained 30. These are the main actors in the Amavubi setup and it is time that their replacements are given the opportunity to take the mantle.
Many countries on the African continent have started this transition with Ghana currently boasting of 17-year-old Abdul Fatawu Issahaku who won the Under 20 AFCON best player as well as Stade Rennes wonder kid Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ajax Mohammed Kudus all currently an being integral part of the Black Stars.
Tunisia has 18-year-old Hannibal Mejbri who plays for Manchester United whereas Cote d’Ivoire also has in their fold Amad Diallo and a host of other youngsters.
Times Sport takes a look at five young players who can hold the Amavubi fort for years to come.
Danny Gatete
(Atlanta United, USA)
Surely, his surname (Gatete) should ring a bell if you have been following Rwandan football for the past two decades. Danny is the son of Amavubi legend Jimmy Gatete and he has already showed glimpses that he has what it takes to get to the apex of world football.
The 16-year-old old who can operate anywhere upfront is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Rwandan football as he has been shielded away from the revolving lens of the media on quality young players.
He features for the developmental team of MLS outfit Atlanta United and is also eligible to play for USA.
George Lewis Igaba-Ishimwe
(Arsenal, England)
The talented left winger was born in Kigali but grew up in Norway where he started to hone his football talent. He joined Arsenal on a free transfer in 2020 from Fram Larvik and is one of the exciting players in the Academy headed by Per Mertersacker.
The 21-year-old currently features for the Arsenal U-23 team in the Premier League 2 and can be one of the key players for Amavubi if he is courted early as Norway is another option for him.
Samuel Gueulette
(La Louviere, Belgium)
Born to a Belgian father and a Rwandan mother in Kigali , Gueulette relocated to Belgium with his parents at an early age but has never forgotten the land of his mother as he has featured for Rwanda at all age levels.
He made his senior debut for the Amavubi against Central African Republic in June this year in an international friendly. Gueulette showed his quality in the game and at just 21 years, he could be the long term replacement for skipper Haruna Niyonzima in the heart of midfield.
Noam Emeran (Manchester United)
Emeran was the first player signed by Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019. The Red Devils paid French side Amiens two million pounds for the then 16-year-old winger who was also on the radar of Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He is the son of former Amavubi defender Fritz Emeran Nkusi. The youngster who was born in France has already represented the European nation at U-16 level but is eligible to switch allegiance to Rwanda. He is one player who could be very helpful for the Rwandan national team in future.
Lague Byiringiro (APR)
One of the real talents in the Rwandan domestic league, the 21-year-old is clearly a player who has already been built for the next generation.
Byiringiro was APR’s top scorer last season in the Rwandan League with six goals and he has shown he is a player who can be relied upon on big occasions. He netted a sensational winner for the Amavubi against Mozambique in a 2021 AFCON qualifier on March 24, 2021 at the Kigali Stadium.
The youngster has proven himself in the national team and all he needs now is more chance and playing time and to excel.