Though Rwanda has not been performing well in international football competitions, the country’s name has had some good mentions on the big stage.
This is partly due to some individuals who are representing the country well at such levels.
From referees and former players to CAF and FIFA officials, here are some Rwandans who are top ambassadors of the country’s football to the continent and the world at large.
President Paul Kagame
President Paul Kagame is an ardent football fan whose contribution to the game involves many things – ranging from sponsoring the CECAFA club championship to playing a role in bringing the FIFA Congress to Rwanda.
ALSO READ: How FIFA Congress came to Kigali
And there is more, including inking the advertisement deals between Rwanda and top European clubs - Paris St. Germaine and Arsenal - to promote the local tourism industry.
ALSO READ: Kagame on Arsenal’s impressive run in the Premier League
Salma Mukansaga
The international female football referee is a key figure when it comes to representing Rwanda on the global stage. The 34-year-old officiated at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and made lots of headlines as an inspiration for women not only in Rwanda but in Africa at large.
ALSO READ: Mukansanga makes her World Cup debut
She was also an official at the 2019 FIFA Women&039;s World Cup in France, the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, among other competitions.
Martin Ngoga
A former speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and Prosecutor General of Rwanda, Ngoga holds some football responsibilities of international importance.
ALSO READ: Rwandan Ngoga appointed on FIFA’s ethics committee
In 2019, he was named among soccer-independent experts appointed by FIFA to help reform the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
On a prominent note, in 2017, he was appointed Chairman of FIFA Ethics Committee in Charge of Investigations.
Jimmy Gatete
Rwandan football legend Jimmy Gatete is arguably the most famous player of the game in the country.
He is not actively involved in football currently but his fame is still something that plays a role for local football in some way.
In his 42 competitive appearances for the national team, he scored 25 goals, including some very important ones. His most celebrated goal is the one he scored against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali in March 2003 which led to Rwanda’s 1–0 win and contributed to their ticket to Tunis for the final tournament the following year.
Celestin Musabyimana
Celestin Musabyimana, a former vice president of the Rwanda football federation (FERWAFA) has flown the country’s flag on the continental arena, where for instance, he was named a CAF commissioner in 2020.
The CAF commission works with officials from respective countries to execute CAF’s mandate of running and regulating continental, national, and club competitions across the continent.
Musabyimana was also on the commission for organizing the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) – the biggest football tournament on the continent.
Celestin Ntagungira (Abega)
Commonly known as ‘Abega’, Celestin Ntagungira is a very successful Rwandan match official, having enjoyed a refereeing career spanning 13 years – from 1997 to 2010.
He officiated at two AFCON tournaments; 2008 in Egypt and 2010 in Ghana, as an assistant referee.
On an even better note, he was also an assistant referee at two World Cups: 2006 in Germany, and 2010 in South Africa. Ntagungira was at the 2008 FIFA Club World Championship held in Yokohama, Japan, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Afterwards, he served as the President of the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) between 2011 and 2013. Currently, he is employed by FIFA.
Bonnie Mugabe
Former Rwandan journalist Bonnie Mugabe currently works as a safety and security manager at FIFA.
Having successfully finished a FIFA Masters’ Degree, he joined FIFA in 2020, mainly serving on its safety and security team which is responsible for setting the requirements and standards that must be met with regard to safety and security at tournaments and events.
Mugabe who previously worked as a sports journalist for The New Times works closely with organizing committees and other host country security entities in developing strategic security concepts and strategies to manage the day-to-day safety and security operations during FIFA tournaments and events.