Many elite athletes consider coaching after retirement, but only a few manage to build lasting and successful careers on the touchline. In Rwanda, several former footballers have successfully transitioned into coaching roles at both club and national level. Notable names such as Eric Nshimiyimana and Jimmy Mulisa are among the ex-players who embraced coaching after hanging up their boots. Below, Weekend Sport highlights some of Rwanda’s top footballers who made the shift to coaching and how their careers have unfolded. Eric Nshimiyimana (Amavubi) Nshimiyimana began his coaching journey in April 2008 when he was appointed assistant coach of the Rwanda national team under Raoul Shungu and head coach Branko Tucak. Following Tucak’s dismissal in November 2009, Nshimiyimana stepped in as interim head coach. He was reappointed as head coach in 2013, but his tenure ended in 2014 after his contract expired. In July that year, he was named head coach of Kiyovu Sports ahead of the 2014–15 season before moving to AS Kigali later that month. Nshimiyimana remained at AS Kigali until his dismissal in October 2018, returning to the club in July 2019. He was offered a new contract in July 2020 despite earlier speculation surrounding his future. As a player, Nshimiyimana featured as a midfielder for Prince Louis, APR FC and Kiyovu Sports. He earned caps for the Rwanda national team between 1996 and 2004, appeared in four FIFA World Cup qualifiers and was part of the squad at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. Jimmy Mulisa (Umuri football academy) Mulisa transitioned into coaching shortly after retiring from professional football. In mid-2015, he was appointed assistant coach of the national team while also serving as head coach of Sunrise FC, before switching to Isonga FC later that year. In August 2016, Mulisa was named interim head coach of the national team and went on to take charge of APR FC in November 2016. In July 2021, he joined AS Kigali as assistant coach and later served as caretaker head coach in December. During his playing career, Mulisa earned several caps for Rwanda, including 11 appearances in FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the 2006 and 2010 editions. He also enjoyed an international club career, playing in India for ITI Bengaluru and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in Belgium for KFC VW Hamme, and in Malaysia with T-Team FC. He is currently into football development at his own ‘Umuri’ football academy, Eric Ndayishimiye ‘Bakame’ (Rayon Sports) Former national team goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye, popularly known as Bakame, joined Bugesera FC in 2023 as a player before retiring and transitioning into a goalkeeping coach role. Toward the end of last season, he was suspended by the club in what was described as a tactical decision ahead of a Rwanda Premier League match against Rayon Sports. He later returned to Rayon Sports as goalkeeping coach, replacing André Mazimpaka. Bakame previously played for Rayon Sports until 2018 before moving to Kenya’s AFC Leopards. His club career also included spells at APR FC, Police FC, AS Kigali, Tusker FC in Kenya and Atraco FC. Jean-Claude Ndoli (APR WFC) Ndoli was a regular first-choice goalkeeper for the Rwanda national team, earning 16 caps. He featured in the 2009 CECAFA Cup final, where Rwanda lost 2–0 to Uganda, and received his final national team call-up in 2016. He also played for APR FC at club level. He is currently the goalkeepers coach at APR women’s football club. Canisius Nshimiyimana (Mukura VS) The former Amavubi defender was appointed head coach of Mukura in 2025. As a player, he was part of Rwanda’s squad at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and the team that won the 1999 CECAFA Challenge Cup. Marcel Lomami (Rayon Sports) Lomami is a brother of former Amavubi attacker Andre Lomami. He currently serves as assistant coach at Rayon Sports under head coach Bruno Ferry. During his playing days, he featured for several top Rwandan clubs, including AS Kigali, Rayon Sports and Kiyovu Sports. In coaching, Lomami has led multiple teams, notably guiding Rayon Sports back to the top flight and later securing promotion for Gasogi United in 2019 and Gorilla FC to the first division in 2020.
