The performance that Rwanda football prospects showed during the just-concluded FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup World Finals has shown that the youngsters have what it takes to compete with the best in the world, according to Rwanda FA vice-president Richard Mugisha.
Rwandan team had a fair performance in their debut appearance as they finished in fifth position out of eight teams that took participated in the competition that took place in Munich, Germany, from October 18-23.
READ ALSO: Rwanda finish fifth as Nigeria retain FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup
Nigeria retained the trophy after beating South Africa 1-0 in the final held Saturday, October 21, at Olympiastadion.
Rwanda was pooled in Group B alongside South Africa, the United States and eventual champions Nigeria. Thierry Hitimana’s boys, however, failed to advance to the semifinals after finishing third in the group stages behind Nigeria and finalists South Africa.
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Through Barthazal Ndayishimiye, Djibril Sheja and skipper Elie Ishimwe, the team secured a fifth place finish after beating host nation Germany 3-1 in the penalty shootouts after both sides played out a goalless draw in regular time.
Ishimwe, Ndayishimiye hit the top form which as a result earned them a selection in the MVP team which played with FC Bayern Munich under-17 on Sunday. The duo started the game and played 70 minutes each but he German side’s Youth team won the encounter by 4-1.
While sharing the lessons learnt from the competition, Mugisha said he was excited by the team’s performance. He highlighted the immense potential and talent that Rwandan young footballers present, emphasizing that they can compete with any other top players of their generations from other countries across the world.
"Our young players showcased talent and proved that they can compete with the best in the world. This experience will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their development as football players," Mugisha told Times Sport.
Highlighting the importance of consistent youth tournaments, Mugisha said, "regular competitions provide crucial opportunities for our young talents to gain valuable experience and grow. We are committed to fostering their participation in regional and international competitions to further enhance their skills."
Looking ahead, Mugisha expressed his optimism for the future of Rwandan football as long as young talents coming up are given a platform for development.
"The remarkable performance of our young players at the FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup World Finals is a testament to the bright future of Rwandan football. We will continue to nurture and develop these talents to help them achieve even greater success."
He said that the FA is committed to fostering the participation of Rwanda's U15, U17, and U20 teams in regional and international competitions.
For instance, Elie Ishimwe, Abdourdhim Hategekimana and Cedrick Mutangana have been selected to join the U15 national team Camp for the upcoming CECAFA games in Uganda.
The FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup World Finals served as a platform for Rwanda's young talents to shine. FERWAFA and the Government of Rwanda is poised to make significant strides in youth development and cement its place on the global football stage.