The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has confirmed the 16 clubs that will participate in the 2026/27 Second Division League season, with four applicants failing to secure approval.

FERWAFA on Saturday, October 3, released the final list of clubs cleared to compete in the country's second-tier league after the completion of the club licensing process.

A total of 20 teams had applied for participation, but Motar FC, Unity SC, Addax SC, and Muhazi United FC were denied licenses after failing to meet requirements set by FERWAFA's Club Licensing Commission.

Officials from the affected clubs have protested the decision, arguing that they were unfairly treated during the licensing process.

The four clubs have already lodged appeals with FERWAFA's Appeals Commission and the Independent Sports Court, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Times Sport understands that clubs affected by the decision have now threatened to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should the dispute remain unresolved.

According to FERWAFA regulations, a club that fails to obtain a license for a particular division may be eligible to compete in the division immediately below, provided it satisfies the requirements applicable to that level.

If the decision stands, the four clubs will therefore be eligible to participate in the Third Division League.

The teams cleared to feature in the 2026/27 Second Division League are Intare FC, Nyanza FC, Ejoheza FC, Rutsiro FC, AS Muhanga, Sina Gérard FC, Espérance Sportive de Kigali, Nkombo FC, Espoir FC, UR FC, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle FC, Skills and Mind FC, Tony FC, La Jeunesse FC, City Boys FC, and Kamonyi FC.

The league will finally kick off on October 23after it was postponed on two occasions. The competition was initially set to begin on October 3 before being moved to October 10 and later rescheduled to the current date.