While many footballers emerge from diverse backgrounds, there is a number of Rwandan families that stand out for consistently producing top talent. Some of such families have produced multiple players who have featured at the highest level of Rwandan football or even beyond. In this article, Times Sport takes a look at some of the country’s most notable football families.
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‘Abadeyi’ family
One of Rwanda’s key football talent producing families is the "Abadeyi” family, which inherited their football legacy from the late Modeste Mudeyi, a celebrated striker who played in the 1960s.
His son, Valens Muvara, considered one of the country’s greatest strikers, played for Kiyovu Sports. The family also produced other players including Yves Mudeyi, Gustave Mudeyi, Nazaire Mudeyi, Dieudonné Mudeyi, Amon Mudeyi, and Suleymane Mudeyi, and more.
Fadhil Hakizimana family
The Fadhil Hakizimana family is based in Rubavu, a place often referred to as the "Brazil of Rwanda” in football circles due to the volume of talent it produces.
Players like Haruna Niyonzima, Muhadjiri Hakizimana, and Djihad Bizimana hail from this family.
Other players who are related to the Fadhil Hakizimana family include Député Singirankabo, Abdul Sibomana, Sadjati Niyonkuru, and Ramazani Niyonkuru, who have played some roles at club and national level.
Kanyangara family
The Kanyangara footballing family traces its roots to Furahani Kanyangara, who played the game decades ago and passed down the passion to his children. Abouba Sibomana, Fitina Ombolenga, Yunusu Nshimiyimana, and Yamin Salum are among those who have continued the legacy, with careers spanning local and international clubs, as well as Amavubi.
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Lomami family
The Lomami name rose to prominence in the 1980s through André Lomami, a Burundian who played for Panthère Noire and Etoile Filante in Rwanda. He raised a family of five footballers: Jean, André, Frank, Marcel, and Felix Lomami, all of whom made significant contributions to Rwandan football.
Tindo family
The Tindo family is notable for producing both male and female football players. These include Ngirinshuti Mwemere, a male footballer who represented clubs like AS Kigali, Police, ATRACO, Bugesera and the national team.
The female footballers it produced include Aline Vumilia, Diane Kitumaine, and Claire Uwamahoro who represented the women’s national team and various local clubs.
Bishirandora family
The Bishirandora family is one of Rubavu’s most respected football families.
It has produced both players and coaches who include Issa Ngeze, who managed ATRACO and Police FC, and Abdulkarim Coka Nduhirabandi, a former player and coach. Latif Bishira, Hamduni Nshimiyimana, and Miradji Rwanyabahana are other notable names that have carried on the tradition in both playing and coaching roles.
Ruzindana family
The Ruzindana family gets its legacy from international referee Ruzindana Nsoro, who transitioned from playing in youth teams to becoming a top referee.
His brothers, Ruzindana Ndahiro and Yves Rwigema, also made their marks on the Rwandan football scene, both as players and in management.