It was generally a good weekend for Rwandan players abroad as Quentin Rushenguziminega was on target while Jojea Kwizera set up a goal for their respective teams. A number of Rwandan footballers were in action, playing a role in their teams' league games or friendlies meant to prepare for the resumption of the 2024/2025 football season. Here is a recap of how Rwandan footballers who ply their trade abroad fared over the weekend. Sweden Winger Lague Byiringiro saw 79 minutes of action at the Rimnersvallen Stadium before being substituted for Oscar Sjostrand as his club Sandviken IF drew 2-2 with Oddevold in the Swedish second tier on August 11. Fellow countryman Yannick Mukunzi did not make the Sandviken match day squad. ALSO READ: Byiringiro nets brace in Sandviken win In the same division, winger Rafael York played 90 minutes for Gefle IF who were humiliated 4-0 by Varberg on Saturday, August 10. In the third tier, Torre Rafael played 69 minutes for Orebro Syrianska as they thrashed Stocksund 4-1 at the Mellringe IP Stadium. In the same competition, winger Kaleleo Wimbabazi saw 27 minutes of action for Pitea as they lost 2-0 to Stockholm Inter. Norway In the Eliteserien which is the Norwegian topflight, midfielder Beltran Nishimwe was an unused substitute as his club Sandefjord drew 2-2 with Stroemsgodset. ALSO READ: WC 2026 Qualifiers: Kwizera's strike sinks Lesotho as Rwanda retain top spot In the third tier, winger Josias King Furaha replaced Andreas Endressen in the 63rd minute as his side FK Jerv lost 2-1 to Brann II at the Varden Amfi Stadium in Bergen. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Clement Twizere Buhake is nursing an injury and was not involved as his club Ull/Kisa defeated Strindheim 4-0. Belgium Teenager Hakim Sahabo is still nursing a knee injury and was not involved in the match day squad as his club Standard Liege drew 0-0 with KV Mechelen at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Friday, August 9. USA Jojea Kwizera's impressive form for Rhode Island FC continued as he set up Grant Stoneman for the first goal in the 29th minute as they beat Hartford Athletic 3-0. The Rwandan star played full 90 minutes for Rhode Island who are unbeaten in their last 9 league games. Ukraine Amavubi skipper Djihad Biimana replaced Yurii Vakulko in the 46th minute as his side FC Kryvbas lost 3-0 to Karpaty in Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League match day 2. Netherlands Winger Noam Emeran was an unused substitute for newly promoted Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen in their 4-1 win over NAC Breda on Friday, August 9. Azerbaijan Centre back Ange Mutsinzi saw 46 minutes of action for Zira FK as they defeated Sabah 2-0 at Bank Republika Arena. Macedonia Centre back Abdul Rwatubyaye was a full timer for FC Shkupi who drew 3-3 with Voska Sports on Sunday, August 11. Switzerland In the Classica League which is Switzerland’s fourth tier, skipper Quentin Rushenguziminega netted the first goal with a penalty in the 37th minute as his side FC Echallens went on to beat Stade Payerne 3-1. Latvia In Latvia, central defender Dylan Maes was an unused substitute for FS Jelgava who lost 3-0 to Liepaja. Preseason games In pre-season friendlies, in France, Right back Warren Kamanzi saw 72 minutes of action before making way for Djibril Sidibe as his side Toulouse FC lost 2-0 to Spanish side Valladolid. In the same country, central midfielder Samuel Gueulette featured for Raal La Louviere as they defeated Virton 2-1. Attacker Joel Mvuka Mugisha played full time for Lorient as they drew 1-1 with Guingamp.
