Rwanda on Sunday, March 2, announced Algerian gaffer Adel Amrouche as their new coach. He takes over from his German predecessor Frank Torsten Spittler who left the job in December after he turned down Rwanda FA’s new deal to stay in charge of the national for yet another 12 months. The federation appointed Amrouche hoping that he can maintain Amavubi's grip at the top of Group C and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Algerian tactician who also holds Belgian nationality is expected to build on the good job that Spittler did before his departure. Over the past one year, Amavubi have been playing attractive football. The team missed out on qualification for the 2025 AFCON on away goal difference and, after four rounds of games in the World Cup qualifiers, Rwanda is leading a group which also comprises giants Nigeria and South Africa. ALSO READ: Adel Amrouche named Rwanda head coach Mbungo keeps Womens team job FERWAFA pulled a masterstroke with the appointment of Spittler who had a virtually unknown coaching background. His good work, however, spoke for him and he will be ranked arguably among the best coaches the country has ever had. Sadly, Spittler’s tenure has now become history as his contract was not renewed. Amavubi sought for a new direction and they brought in Adel Amrouche. Who is Adel Amrouche? Adel Amrouche was born in Kouba, a suburb of Algiers, the capital of Algeria on March 7, 1968. He played as a midfielder and started his career at the youth team of CR Belouizdad in 1983. He later on moved to JS Kabylie before making his professional debut with OMR El Annasser in 1988. He went on to feature for USM Algiers. He also had stints with Favoritner AC in Austria, as well as Raal La Louviere in Belgium. Amrouche served as player-coach in some of his former clubs before landing his first coaching job as technical director of FC Brussels in 1995. He has been in the coaching fraternity since then. Other teams and counties that he previously handled include Saint Gilloise, DC Motema Pembe, Equatorial Guinea, USM Algiers, MC Algiers, Burundi, Kenya and Libya among others. He was appointed as Tanzania coach in 2023 on a three-year deal and Tanzanian news agency The Citizen is reporting that he is still under contract with the Taifa Stars and he hasn't communicated with them on his Rwanda deal. Amrouche is also not new to controversy. In 2024, he was fined $10,000 by the Confederation of African Football for his utterance on an Algerian TV station that the African football ruling body favours Morocco after they beat his team 2-0 in Dar es Salaam. Path already laid for Amrouche to achieve success Amrouche has a golden path set up for him by his predecessor Spittler and he can build on it to achieve success. At least 4 or 5 more wins from the remaining 6 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers could see Rwanda making history by qualifying to the World's biggest football fiesta. Now, Amavubi look vibrant, the team is attractive and the onus lies on Amrouche to hit the ground running just as his predecessor Spittler did. His immediate assignment is a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Nigeria and Lesotho at Amahoro Stadium on March 17 and March 24 respectively. Amrouche said that he is ready for the assignment but that he can’t achieve anything without the support from his employers and Rwandans in general. I work a lot, I'm not a coach who talks too much. Everyone has a role to play for the team's success including the journalists because you are part of the development of football. Me alone, I can't do anything. Everyone must get involved, the Algerian said in his first press conference held at FERWAFA headquarters. ALSO READ: Adel Amrouche named Rwanda head coach Mbungo keeps Womens team job With his huge experience which includes coaching 6 African countries already, Amrouche is expected to hit the ground running.
