Young Rwandan footballers from Tony Football Academy could soon have a new route into professional football through a joint strategic partnership involving Portuguese giants Benfica and Israeli club Hapoel Hadera. The Musanze-based academy, which recently earned promotion to the FERWAFA Second Division, is part of an agreement officially signed on Sunday in Israel, bringing together the tree parties with a shared goal to give football talents an opportunity to shine in Europe. ALSO READ: Teen keeper Mutangwa signs glove sponsorship deal with global brand Elite Sport The collaboration will focus on youth development, elite training and creating international pathways for emerging talent. It follows discussions sparked by a recent visit to Portugal by Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire, which explored a broader partnership aimed at establishing a major football campus in Rwanda as a regional hub for talent development. The agreement also coincides with a new chapter for Hapoel Hadera under the ownership of Itay Ben-Zeev, Chief Executive Officer of the Israel Stock Exchange. Asi Rahamim will serve as the owner's representative while continuing in his role as Sporting Director of Tony Football Rwanda, helping strengthen the Israeli club's sporting and operational structures. ALSO READ: Rwandan trio on pro trials at Portuguese top tier side Rio Ave Speaking at the launch, Ben-Zeev said the project is built on bringing together partners with a shared vision for youth development. For the past three years, Benfica Lisbon has been working together with Tony Rwanda, he said. When I spoke with Assi Rahamim and Hapoel Hadera, I said: why don't we connect all the pieces together? He believes the initiative will create benefits for young players in both Rwanda and Israel. Now this project will not only affect youth in Rwanda, but also in Israel, in Hadera, he added. As part of the initial phase, one Rwandan player is expected to join Hapoel Hadera's youth setup, with more opportunities likely to follow if the programme proves successful. The partnership marks another significant milestone in Tony Football Academy's efforts to expose Rwandan players to professional football environments overseas. In recent years, the academy has helped several young talents access opportunities beyond Rwanda. Goalkeeper Cedric Mutangwa recently signed a one-year professional sponsorship agreement with international goalkeeper brand Elite Sport. In 2024, three academy players—Alain Fiston Ishimwe, Erirohe Yangiriyeneza, and Jean Claude Dushime—travelled to Portugal for two-week trials with Primeira Liga side Rio Ave FC.
