2024 has truly been a year of transformation for Rwanda’s national team Amavubi and this is not only attributed to German coach Torsten Frank Spittler but also a host of players who showed a commendable improvement in their performance at club and national team levels. The likes of Djihad Bizimana and Ange Mutsinzi helped their respective teams play European football while others like Samuel Gueulette and Josias King Furaha had stellar performances which made an impact to their clubs’ ambitions. Times Sport brings to you Rwanda's best footballers of 2024. Fiacre Ntwari (Goalkeeper)-Kaizer Chiefs Ntwari had an outstanding 2023/24 season and was among the best keepers in the South African Premiership last season. He joined Kaizer Chiefs from TS Galaxy for an amount in excess of $400,000. Although he is yet to hit the ground running form at Chiefs, Ntwari has been absolutely superb at national team level. He single-handedly saved Rwanda against Nigeria in an AFCON 2025 qualifier held in Kigali on September 10, making as many as 10 crucial saves, a performance that left Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen impressed. Ntwari had a fantastic year between Amavubi spots during both AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2026 qualifiers, but he will have to rediscover his club form or Spittler will be pushed to think of alternatives in 2025. Fitina Omborenga (Right-back) Omborenga was part of the APR team which won the 2023/24 league title before moving to arch rivals Rayon Sports at the end of the season. He is also among very few players who played all Amavubi matches except Rwanda’s recent 3-2 defeat to South Sudan in the CHAN qualifier in Juba on December 22. Omborenga provided the crucial assist for Jojea Kwizera to score the only goal against Lesotho in the 2026 World Cup qualifier game in South Africa on June 11. He has also established himself as a key figure in Robertinho’s Rayon Sports who will finish 2024 at the top of the Rwanda Premier League. Emmanuel Imanishimwe (left-back) Imanishimwe had attained cult status in his three-year stint with AS FAR Rabat of Morocco before joining Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol in June 2024. He has so far adapted to the Cypriot Premier League and he is always in the starting 11 when he is fully fit. On the international scene, he provided two assists in the AFCON qualifiers for Amavubi which was against Benin and Nigeria. Ange Mutsinzi (Centre-back) Mutsinzi started the 2024 season with then Norwegian third tier club FK Jerv where he played 12 games scoring 1 goal before being signed by Zira FK of Azerbaijan who were competing in the Europa Conference League. He featured in all their games as they were bundled out by Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus. On the international scene, Mutsinzi played every minute of the Amavubi main team games throughout the year. He scored the equalizer in a 2-1 AFCON qualifiers match against Nigeria in Uyo on November 18. Clement Niyigena (Centre-back) The APR centre back had an exceptional year at the back as the army club went unbeaten in the 2023/24 season. He was named the best player of the tournament in the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Tanzania where APR FC reached the finals. On the international scene, Niyigena rose to the occasion when he started twice against Benin in Abidjan and Kigali as regular starter Thierry Manzi was sidelined through injury. Manzi may be Spittler’s No1 choice in Amavubi defence, but Niyigena has always made sure the Ahli Tripoli star’s absence was not felt whenever he was introduced. Djihad Bizimana (Defensive Midfield) Amavubi skipper Djihad Bizimana enjoyed an incredible 2024 and his performance at both club and national team levels showed what a top player he is. In the 2023/24 season which ended in June 2024, he made 28 appearances scoring twice and providing one assist as Kryvbas qualified for the Europa League. He played in all their Europa League qualifying round as well as Conference League play-off games. The 2024/25 season, which began in August, has seen him playing 16 games so far. On the international front, he has been ever present in the Amavubi games this year. He played 10 games for Amavubi in all competitions and scored twice. ALSO READ: Bizimana optimistic Rwanda can break the jinx vs Benin in Kigali Samuel Gueulette (Central Midfield) It was a remarkable year for the Raal La Louviere assistant captain who played an instrumental role in club’s qualification to the second tier league. Gueulette signed a new two-year contract in June and has continued to excel at club level. Currently, he has played 15 games this season scoring once and providing one assist as his team lies 2nd on the league table. In Amavubi colors, Gueulette, who was a fringe player under previous coach Carlos Ferrer, was one of the key elements in Spittler's set up. He has used him in various positions such as False 9, on the wings, offensive midfield as well as his normal position which is central midfield. He would accomplish the mission anyway. ALSO READ: Rwanda's Gueulette nominated for player of the month at Belgian club Kevin Muhire (Offensive midfield) The Rayon Sports captain was named as the player of the season. Muhire joined the Blues in the middle of the 2023/24 season but he made a quick impact which saw him win the accolade. The Rwanda international carried on where he left off at the of the 2023/24 season and is continuing to take Rwanda Premier League by story as he leads the charts with eight assists before even the first round of the 2024/25 league campaign. On the international scene, he has been good with his most notable performances being against Nigeria in Kigali and South Sudan in Juba where he scored in Rwanda’s 3-2 loss in Sunday’s CHAN Qualifiers first leg. Jojea Kwizera (Right Attack) Kwizera joined USL club Rhode Island FC in January 2024 and went on to make 24 appearances, scoring three goals and providing five assists as his club reached the USL play off final. 2024 was also the year the US-based winger made his international football debut for Amavubi when they played against Benin in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Abidjan on June 6. He scored his first Amavubi goal five days later against Lesotho in South Africa in the same qualifiers on June 11. Kwizera has been a regular starter for Spittler since his maiden call-up in June 2024. Innocent Nshuti (Centre forward) Nshuti had a torrid time at US third tier club One Knoxville SC as he failed to score or provide an assist in the whole 2024 season. He has not been able to impress his employers and is already considering a move out of the club by mutual consent. Despite the performance, Nshuti has a couple of offers on table to choose from with South African club Malumo Gallants leading the race to sign him. The former APR forward was, however, on fire in an Amavubi shirt, scoring some crucial goals in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. He netted against Libya in Tripoli, Benin in Kigali and also Nigeria in Uyo. King Josias Furaha (Left Attack) Furaha was instrumental as FK Jerv qualified back to the Norwegian second tier league. He featured in 19 games and scored 7 goals as his side booked their place back to the second league. Furaha, who can operate anywhere upfront, was named in the Norwegian third tier team of the week four times. The 21-year-old forward could be a valuable addition to the Amavubi team as the World Cup qualifiers resume in.
