I have never felt so hopeful, and, or positive about an incoming FERWAFA president—as I do for Fabrice Ngoga Shema—and I have been covering Rwandan football since 2003. Barring any dramatic turn of events, AS Kigali president Shema will officially take over as the new president of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) on August 30. Running unopposed after the withdrawal of his competitors, including the incumbent Alphonse Munyantwali, Shema’s imminent rise to the pinnacle of Rwandan football, comes at a critical moment for the local game. Suffice to say, this moment is marked by promise, but also deep-rooted challenges that demand urgent attention. Shema and his team will have their hands full, and so must be prepared to do hard work—especially Shema must be ready to make hard and unpopular decision. But I believe is well aware of what he's getting himself into. Expectations are so high. Rwandans have put faith in him, and trust him to do better. A seasoned football administrator and businessman, Shema returns to the national football scene with a reputation for integrity, strong leadership, and ambition, according to people who know him well. Under his stewardship, AS Kigali won two Peace Cup titles and two Super Cups, and also competed in continental football — feats that now raise expectations as he assumes the top role in Rwanda’s football governance. Top of the agenda -- league sponsorship: At the very top of Shema’s to-do list must be resolving the league’s sponsorship crisis. The Rwanda Premier League has been without a sponsor since the end of the 2023/24 season, when BRALIRWA’s four-year Rwf 600 million deal expired. With no major sponsor lined up, clubs started the season (2024/25) struggling to pay players and maintain operations. This financial drought has already taken a toll. Monthly awards for best-performing players and coaches have been suspended, and many clubs outside APR FC — which enjoys (Ministry of Defense) funding — are operating hand-to-mouth. The lack of a title sponsor not only threatens the league’s competitiveness but also undermines its appeal to fans and broadcasters. Securing a new, substantial sponsorship deal is non-negotiable. Shema must move fast to broker a deal, for it's an unbelievable that a progressive country like Rwanda can a have a national league without a title sponsor! Notebly though, Times Sport sources suggest banks and telecom companies have shown interest. Now, turning that interest into a viable, long-term partnership will be a litmus test of Shema’s leadership. Reviving the Reserve League: Beyond finances, Shema faces a structural challenge—rebuilding Rwanda’s youth football. A critical starting point is reviving the reserve league system that once existed when Primus first sponsored the league in 2004. It is different and separate from the Second Division. At that time, every first division club was required to field a B team in a parallel competition. This is the best practice anywhere. It's a tried, tested and trusted avneue for football development. The benefits of this structure are immense. It provides younger players with match experience, builds depth, and smooths the transition between age categories and senior football. Reinstituting this system would align with global best practices and ensure that the country doesn’t lose talent in the gap between youth tournaments and top-flight competition. It would also form a backbone for a more stable, productive national team setup—something Rwanda is in desperate need of following its recent qualification disappointments. Combating corruption and match-fixing: FERWAFA has in recent years been rocked by allegations of match-fixing and corruption — involving players, coaches, and match officials. Rebuilding trust and integrity in the game is an urgent imperative. Shema must lead a serious house-cleaning process. Transparency in officiating, strict disciplinary frameworks, and a culture of accountability must become a norm in our game—non-negotiable. Setting up an independent ethics and compliance unit within FERWAFA could signal intent and give stakeholders confidence that the federation is serious about reform. Yes, reform. This is key. Shema’s backers, including Heroes FC owner Fidele Kanamugire, believe in his vision of making football a revenue-generating sector by investing in players. This philosophy must translate into concrete policies, among them; improving coach training, expanding youth academies, and strengthening partnerships with foreign clubs to create viable pathways for Rwandan players abroad. This is what serious developing or less developed federations do, for, it does not only help players develop their talent but also offer them the platform to fulfill their full potential. Media, governance and long-term-vision: More media coverage, especially for lower-tier and women’s football, is needed to grow the game at all levels. Fortunately, FERWAFA already enjoys a Rwf 220 million-a-season broadcast deal with StarTimes — a foundation Shema can build on. Governance-wise, he will be flanked by a team of respected figures: Claudine Garasabwe (vice-president in charge of Finance & Administration), Richard Mugisha (Technical matters), Thierry Nshuti (Commissioner in charge of Finance), and others representing women’s football, legal affairs, medical and youth development. A collaborative, transparent approach will be key to unlocking results. Shema should never allow/accept his mandate to be business as usual. We have had enough of that. The businessman, also CEO of Africa Medical Supplier Limited, inherits a federation at a crossroads. Munyantwali, who has decided not to seek re-election, for whatever reason(s), leaves behind a mixed legacy, for, it's hard to pick out one significant achievement other than that Amahoro Stadium was redeveloped under his watch. Which is why the incoming FERWAFA head should know that the local league needs revival. Youth structures need rebuilding. The national team needs new energy. We need fans back, too. Also, but most importantly, the federation’s reputation needs a reset. It is a daunting job. But not an impossible one. Just do the right thing(s). Having proven himself at club level with AS Kigali—one of the better-run clubs in Rwanda—Shema now steps into the national spotlight with both opportunity and expectation on his shoulders. Both heavy loads. Indeed, the next four years will determine whether Shema can translate boardroom promise into real change for Rwandan football.
