Two Amavubi stars, striker Dany Usengimana and left-back Emmanuel Imanishimwe ‘Mangwende’, have teamed up to establish Bright Football Academy, a football development center that is currently training 150 youngsters in Rugende, Rwamagana District. The initiative, launched in April 2025, was born out of the duo’s shared dream of giving back to the game by creating opportunities for children to grow their talent. The academy brings together boys and girls, including 25 girls, 25 players under the age of 10, and nearly 100 teenagers below 20. The two professionals—Usengimana, who is based in Canada, and Imanishimwe, who plays for Cyprus AEL Limassol—shared their idea with Eric Habimana, a youth coach who trained them in their early days. The collaboration resulted in the establishment of Bright Football Academy, with Habimana serving as head coach. “Our players always wanted to see the next generation come through and replace them, so they decided to take part in developing football in Rwanda,” Habimana explained. “They provide everything needed, from balls, training bibs, cones and nets, to kits for matches.” With over two decades of experience in youth development, Habimana has groomed several prominent players, including Faustin Usengimana, Dany Usengimana, and Emmanuel Imanishimwe. Parents embrace the vision Emmanuel Rubagumya, vice president of AS Kigali and a parent with a child enrolled at the academy, praised the project, stressing that football can be a sustainable career. “Parents should understand that football can support someone’s livelihood. Just as we encourage our children to wake up for school, we should also motivate them to play because football provides a living. Look at players like Dany and Imanishimwe, who are supporting this academy as professionals,” he said. A bigger dream ahead For Usengimana, setting up the academy was only the first step. The long-term ambition is to sustain it and possibly expand into competitive football structures. “We started this because it’s part of our daily lives, and having our former coach still active made it easier to build on his experience. Beyond training children, we want to grow and eventually form a team in the national league, whether in the first or second division,” he said. The academy also plans to explore additional sports and attract strategic partners to ensure growth. Both founders bring rich experience from their professional journeys. Usengimana has played for Isonga FC, Police FC, Singida Black Stars, and APR FC before moving abroad, while Imanishimwe rose through Aspor FC and Rayon Sports before joining APR FC. His performances later earned him a move to Morocco’s AS FAR, where he spent three seasons before signing with AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
