Rwanda’s 2–0 loss to Ethiopia in the opening match of the 2025 CECAFA U17 Championship last Saturday was more than just a disappointing start to a regional tournament. It was a stark reminder of the deeper structural issues that have plagued the country’s youth football for years. The defeat, coupled with the continued struggle to even participate (consistently) in regional or continental qualifiers, underscores the urgent need to rethink, and rebuild local football development course from the grassroots up. The CECAFA U17 serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17. Rwanda’s inability to field a competitive team, or in some years, any team at all, has repeatedly shut the door to continental and global opportunities. And in the modern football landscape, missing out on these developmental tournaments has lasting consequences. Yet, it wasn’t always this way. Rwanda reached the semi-finals of the 2011 African U-17 Championships played on home soil and qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time that same year. The global showpiece was held in Mexico. However, it was eliminated in the group stage after suffering defeats against England and Uruguay, and playing to a draw against Canada. The 2011 achievement should have been the foundation for sustained investment in youth structures. Instead, it became an isolated moment in history, never replicated and rarely referenced in policy discussions. Terrible. Since then, Rwanda’s youth football has stagnated. FERWAFA lacks a clear, long-term development blueprint. There is no consistent national youth structure. Organized competition(s) for age-category players remains almost non-existent. This column has made repeated calls to that effect but all in vain. Yet we shall not tire or give up on bringing it up, for, it's the only pathway that will resurrect Rwandan football. The bulk of attention and resources continue to flow toward the top-flight league and the senior national team, Amavubi—yet neither has delivered the return on investment hoped for. I hate to say this, but the consequences are now obvious. Rwanda failed to take part in several regional U17 competitions in recent years, missing out on invaluable experience and exposure for our youngsters. Without participating in CECAFA and AFCON qualifiers, the dream of returning to the FIFA U-17 World Cup becomes unrealistic. The expanded 48-team 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, currently underway in Qatar, offered a historic opportunity for Africa — 10 African teams qualified, including Uganda from the CECAFA region. Uganda not only qualified but impressed, recording historic victories against France and Senegal and reaching the knockout stage before losing to Burkina Faso on penalties. Rwanda was nowhere in the picture! The current FERWAFA administration of Fabrice Shema, which has started off its mandate on a pragmatic note, with reforms on how to better run a football federation, must ensure that this cycle of absence and underperformance ends. And the only way to end it would be to urgently bring back full attention to grassroots development, at least from where I stand. I could be wrong but that's a conversation, for another day. Rwanda needs a clear, well-funded and federation-backed youth development programme. There is no substitute for this policy if we're to move on from the current status quo. There must be a deliberate and structured plan for training standards, competition structures and long-term goals. But most importantly, this model should integrate schools, grassroots academies (where they exist), local clubs and national teams into a unified system. We should not forget that talent only emerges through regular, competitive football. Therefore, FERWAFA must invest in structured leagues at U13, U15, U17, and U20 levels, ensuring that young players get consistent, high-quality competition throughout the year. This may sound too foreign and complicated or even costly — which indeed it is, but at the same time, it's not out of reach for a nation that dreams big, and aims for bigger ambitions — because of that, this idea should be a routine. Many countries that excel in youth football do so because they prioritize development over instant success. Rwanda should adopt a philosophy that focuses on technical skills, tactical awareness, and mental development rather than short-term tournament performance, hence the need for highly qualified coaches. Many of them. Nonetheless, no matter the challenges, Rwanda cannot afford to skip CECAFA or AFCON qualifiers for age-category tournaments. Participation alone provides exposure and learning opportunities against regional rivals. If we fail to show up in these qualifiers, we cannot hope to compete globally. Taking part in each and every qualifier should be the bare minimum if Rwanda is to be considered a serious footballing nation. We can't be a Somalia, Eritrea or Djibouti — no offence to these countries, but we're way much better. Failing to participate even in qualifiers is inexcusable for a country that once stood on the world stage. FERWAFA must recognize that youth football remains Rwanda's best chance to return to continental and global championships. Unlike senior international football—where the usual (economic) powerhouses dominate—youth football is a level field where proper planning and preparation matter far more than reputation. So, if FERWAFA commits to building a proper youth development system, Rwanda can once again aspire to qualify for future international youth tournaments — not as hosts, but on merit. Believe you me, the opportunity is real; what remains is the will to act, and when Rwanda chooses to act, we all know that nothing is impossible, for, where there is a will, there definitely is a way.
