The African Nations Championship (CHAN) is the continent’s second biggest football tournament exclusively featuring players who ply their trade in the domestic leagues. Since the first edition in 2009, hundreds of players have since signed for clubs outside their countries, some in Africa and others in Europe or beyond because of the exposure they get. The tournament attracts club coaches, agents and most importantly scouts from across the world who are looking for talented players to make their squads better. For the Rwandan players, this is an opportunity they should grab with both hands. Less than seven players of the current Amavubi squad play outside Rwanda. While this is a very beneficial statistic ahead of CHAN 2016, it is quite disturbing for future plans especially if Rwanda is competing with giants on the continent that boast of almost 95% percent of their national sides with professional players in Europe. The imbalance this brings at bigger events like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup qualifiers is quite evident. However, this can change for Rwanda if local players put on a brilliant show at CHAN 2016, a feat that could see them impress scouts and agents present for a place in professional sides that will benefit the Amavubi in the long run. At a personal level, it surely will see them earn more money than they are paid by the clubs they play for in Rwanda.
