Early this week the region woke up to breaking news that East African countries - Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – will host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Finally, Africa’s biggest football tournament is returning home after almost half a century, precisely 49 years, when it was last hosted by Ethiopia. This is long overdue given that ‘smaller and poorer’ nations have organized the competition within that period yet this region, as football-mad and strategically located as it is, has not been able to put up a serious hosting bid. The three countries presented a joint bid in May and went on to beat competition from Algeria and Botswana to win the hosting rights. This joint bid has been a long time in the pipeline. East Africa has already hosted the AFCON five times, but that was between two countries (Sudan and Ethiopia). Sudan hosted it in 1957 and 1970 while Ethiopia hosted it in 1962, 1968, and 1976. Ethiopia (1962) and Sudan (1970) went on to win the competition. What does Rwanda need to qualify considering the difficulties of going through the qualifiers and the fact that Amavubi only made it to the Finals Tournament in 2004? Does the competition coming to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, make it any easier for Rwanda to qualify? Qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a challenging task for any national football team, and Rwanda faces several obstacles in its quest to participate in the 2027 edition, especially given its little experience in the competition. To analyze Rwanda's chances, we need to consider various factors, including the qualification process, the team's past performance, and the proximity of the tournament being held in neighboring countries. The qualification process for AFCON typically consists of a series of group-stage matches followed by knockout rounds. The exact format may vary, but it generally involves home-and-away fixtures against other African nations. Rwanda will need to navigate through this qualification process successfully to secure a spot in the 2027 AFCON Finals Tournament in the neighbourhood, where, if successful, would be so much easier for the fans to travel in unprecedented big numbers to support the boys. Rwanda's history at the AFCON is limited. The national team participated in the 2004 AFCON Finals but has struggled to return to the tournament since then. This indicates that Rwanda faces difficulties in consistently qualifying for the tournament, which is highly competitive. African football is known for its competitiveness, with several strong teams from across the continent (predominantly from the north and west) vying for a limited number of spots at the tournament. To qualify, Rwanda will need to compete against more established and historically successful footballing nations, making the task challenging as has been the case ever since Amavubi’s AFCON debut in Tunisia, in 2004, where the team won one, drew one, and lost one in their group. While the proximity of the 2027 AFCON in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania may offer some advantages, it does not guarantee an easier qualification for Rwanda. Qualifying for AFCON, not just in 2027 but in future competitions, depends primarily on the team’s footballing prowess and performance on the field. Indeed, proximity to host countries reduces travel time and logistical challenges. But it does not diminish the importance of putting together a strong and well-prepared team, coupled with strong or successful performances in the qualifiers. Rwanda’s football development and infrastructure will play a crucial role in its qualification chances. The country needs to invest further in youth development, coaching, and facilities to improve the overall quality of football. Adequate support from the government, the football federation, and sponsors is essential. Financial and logistical support can help the team focus on its preparations and hence result in the desired performance during the qualifiers. Rwanda needs to prioritize consistency and long-term planning in its football programme. This calls for, among others, developing a competitive squad, hiring experienced coaching staff, and implementing a clear strategy for success in AFCON qualifiers. Amavubi’s qualification for the 2027 AFCON will be a challenging endeavour considering the team’s experience and the competitive nature of African football. But with better preparations, there is always a good chance.
