The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) earlier this week took a decisive stand against corruption in the sport by issuing life bans to three referees allegedly involved in match-fixing. This could go down as a watershed moment in Rwandan football history, for, as the old adage goes, 'actions speak louder than words.' In the same week, Rwanda’s most decorated football club, APR FC, announced they're parting ways with head coach Darko Novic—just three games shy of the end of the league season and with the title still within reach. Back on that, later. So, the referees in question—Amida Hemedi, Ally Uwimana, and Djihadi Mbarute—have been permanently removed from refereeing duties following an extensive investigation that uncovered damning evidence of unethical conduct. Hemedi, described as the mastermind, was allegedly at the heart of the scandal, manipulating match outcomes to her advantage. Uwimana reportedly encouraged fellow officials to place bets on matches they were officiating, while Mbarute acted as the intermediary for illicit financial transactions. WOW! Syndicate in color. FERWAFA’s decisive and severe action is unprecedented in its history, and yeah, it sends out a clear message. A letter, signed off by the FERWAFA Secretary-General Adolphe Kalisa, (dated December 16, 2024), confirmed the referees’ dismissal, citing their involvement in “connections between referees and individuals engaging in match-fixing.” This ruling underscores the federation’s newfound firm commitment to restoring integrity in a sport that has, over the years, been haunted by persistent allegations of corruption. This crackdown also includes the recent suspension (for one year) of Muhazi United assistant coach and former Kiyovu SC, APR, and Amavubi midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza. 'Miggy' was found guilty of attempting to influence the outcome of a match between Musanze and Kiyovu by allegedly requesting Musanze defender Shafik Bakaki to underperform. The damning evidence came in the form of a leaked audio clip, further damaging Mugiraneza’s credibility, while uncovering a pattern of underhand means that teams, and or individuals, apply in order to influence outcome of matches. These developments send an unequivocal message: FERWAFA is done tolerating any activity that threatens the sport’s core values of fairness and sportsmanship. Way to go. It also offers a measure of hope for fans and stakeholders, including your columnist, who have long called for greater accountability and transparency in Rwandan football governance. While FERWAFA was delivering long-overdue justice, APR FC were making headlines of their own—this time by choosing to part ways with Serbian coach Darko Novic. The timing of this decision has sparked debate and concern within Rwanda’s football fraternity. Novic, 52, who took the reins just 11 months ago, had led the club to a Peace Cup triumph and a runner-up finish in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025. Yet with APR trailing Rayon Sports by a single point in the league and three rounds remaining in the title sprint, the sacking appears as much a panic move as a calculated decision. Though the club claimed in an official statement that the decision was mutual and due to personal reasons, the backdrop tells a more complex story. Discontent had reportedly been brewing among the club hierarchy due to inconsistent league performances and the growing threat of Rayon Sports ending APR’s five-year league title reign. APR’s decision echoes a familiar pattern--little tolerance for transitional phases, even when the coach has produced silverware, which, ideally, should be security for a coach to keep their job. Novic’s predecessor, Thierry Froger, was also dismissed despite delivering the 2023/24 league title, and you wonder, what do the chaps running the club actually want, any long-term goals? The list of similar decisions from the past is simply too long for comfort, or even for the good of the club/team. Rwandan football needs, and deserves, better representation at the top. The revolving door policy reflects a culture of impatience at a club where only immediate success is acceptable, raising questions about long-term planning and coaching stability. APR’s gamble could either rejuvenate the squad in the final stretch or backfire spectacularly if the transition destabilizes the team at a critical stage in what is turning out to be a season too close to call. Novic's sudden departure comes fast on the heels of archrivals Rayon Sports suspending their Brazilian head coach Roberto 'Robertinho' Oliveira, supposedly until end of the season. All eyes are now on caretakers Rayon’s Claude Rwaka, fresh from guiding Rayon women’s team to the title, and APR’s Mugisha Ndoli, who coaches Intare FC. And, in brief, that's Rwandan football for you, unfortunately, at its best, in terms of administration, that the two biggest clubs in the land keep making, and/or repeating these weird decisions expecting different outcome--that's foolish! With three matches left, including high-stakes encounters, the club’s ambitions for a record-extending 23rd league title hang in the balance. Regardless, one of these two is going to play in CAF Champions League and the other in the lesser Confederation Cup, yet both have made changes, which means the next coach, will have to start over again. And you expect to compete! Just think about that for a second! And this is not a one-off decision but a recurring story that keep playing out year-in-year-out. Cry for me, Rwandan football, for these two clubs epitomize you. That's why, together, the twin developments—FERWAFA’s historic crackdown on corruption (match-fixing) and APR’s bold managerial decision—mark a significant turning point for Rwandan football. They both speak to a broader narrative-- a sport at a crossroads, struggling with its past, while trying to chart a path toward a more ethical and competitive future. And, as the season draws to a tense close, all eyes will be on the pitch—and behind the scenes—to see whether these actions usher in lasting change or spark further turbulence in the days, and weeks, or even months ahead.
