It’s a shame to get accustomed to failure. Regrettably, for the case of Rwandan football, it appears as though local teams, or clubs, have become comfortable with persistent failure! Rwanda’s national women team lost to Ghana 12-0 over two legs in CAF Women Championship qualifiers, while APR FC were dumped out of CAF Champions League by Egyptian side Pyramids FC 6-1 on aggregate. Rayon Sports lost to Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya in CAF Confederation Cup second round 4-2 on penalties following a 2-all aggregate despite both games being played in Kigali. Following the latest embarrassment, it’s inevitable for the women's national team and the two clubs to do thorough soul-searching as they forge a way forward. Rwandan football has seen significant investments in recent years, particularly in terms of infrastructure development and recruitment of foreign players in efforts to raise the country's profile in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions. However, despite the substantial financial resources poured into the sport, Rwandan teams continue to struggle and face early exits from CAF competitions. The recent national women team’s heavy defeat to Ghana, APR FC’s exit from the CAF Champions League, and Rayon Sports’ loss to Al Ahly Benghazi in the CAF Confederation Cup in a space of 7 days, highlights a recurring issue that needs comprehensive analysis and solution. But why do Rwandan teams keep failing in CAF competitions despite spending huge sums of money on foreign players? What do our teams need to do to change this trend? Quality youth development One of the root causes of Rwandan teams’ failures in CAF competitions is the inadequate youth development infrastructure. Success in football is often built on a strong foundation of home-grown talent. Rwanda needs to invest more in developing young players who can eventually feed into the national and club teams. Without a robust youth system, local teams resort to relying heavily on foreign players, which can disrupt team cohesion and strategic planning. And the quality of those foreign players also has big question marks. Inconsistent coaching The quality of coaching in Rwanda needs improvement. Competent coaches play a pivotal role in developing players, creating tactical systems, and instilling the right mentality. Rwandan clubs should invest in qualified coaches who understand the intricacies of African football and can adapt to different opponents and conditions. Consistency in coaching staff and a clear football philosophy can also contribute to better team performance. Until this issue is addressed, we can only brace ourselves for further failures. Experience and mental strength Rwandan teams often face more experienced and well-established opponents in CAF competitions. Lack of big game experience can be a significant disadvantage, as the teams struggle to handle the pressure of continental competitions. Rwandan clubs should seek opportunities to participate in international friendlies, tournaments, and training camps to gain exposure and develop their players’ international experience. Success in football depends on mental strength as much as physical skills. Rwandan teams must build mental resilience to cope with high-pressure situations and adversity. This includes strengthening the players’ confidence, concentration, and composure during crucial moments in matches—failure to do that is a recipe for disaster. Strategic recruitment While it’s essential to bring in foreign talent to strengthen local teams, recruitment should be strategic. Clubs should focus on acquiring players who complement the existing squad, fill critical positions, and add value. Over-reliance on foreign players without proper integration into the team can hinder success as we have seen with APR and Rayon, who were both quite busy in the transfer market but have to wait on the side-lines of continental football for at least another year! Rwandan football needs a comprehensive, long-term development plan that involves all stakeholders, including government, football associations, clubs, and academies. This plan should prioritize youth development, coaching education, infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Holistic approach Engaging fans and creating a strong football culture is essential for the success of any team. Rwandan clubs should build a passionate fan base that supports the team through good and bad times. This support system can be a significant motivator for players and can contribute to better performances. As it stands, the continued failure of Rwandan teams in CAF competitions is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach. Addressing youth development, coaching quality, experience, mental toughness, infrastructure, recruitment, long-term planning, and fan engagement are key areas that need improvement. By systematically addressing these issues, Rwandan football can hope to reverse the trend and achieve more success on the continental stage. Winning breeds confidence and brings success. Losing does the opposite. Which is why APR FC, Rayon Sports, as well the national team, must not get used to losing and be comfortable with continuous failure, or else, why should anyone bother following them. Our teams need to be trained to fear losing.
