Rwanda head coach Stephen Constantine has described Kigali as one of the best places he has ever lived, praising the country's cleanliness, hospitality and growing football ambitions as he continues his mission to transform the fortunes of the Amavubi. In an extensive interview with Goal published on November 11, the 64-year-old tactician reflected on life in Rwanda, his plans for the national team, and his long-held dream of one-day coaching in England. Having managed in countries including India, Nepal, Malawi, Sudan and Pakistan, Constantine said Rwanda stands out among all the places he has worked. Rwanda is the cleanest country I've ever been to, he said. They have Umuganda on the last Saturday of every month, where communities come together to clean and improve their surroundings. The English coach recalled taking a three-hour road trip from Kigali to one of Rwanda's national parks and being struck by the absence of litter along the roads and in villages. Kigali is a beautiful city. It's the city of a thousand hills. You can't walk very far without coming across another hill. The people are polite, welcoming and it's a wonderful place to live. Enjoying life in Rwanda Constantine noted that while salaries may not be as high as those in some countries, the cost of living remains relatively affordable compared to the United Kingdom, his birth country. He revealed that he rents a house for around $1,500 per month, while more affordable accommodation can be found for as little as $200 per month. Dining out is also reasonably priced, with three people able to enjoy a meal at a restaurant for about $40 to $45. The coach also disclosed that he has started learning Kinyarwanda through lessons twice a week, believing it is important to understand the language and culture of the country he works in. I've learned words like Mwaramutse (good morning) and Mwiriwe (good afternoon), he said, while admitting that mastering Kinyarwanda is not an easy task. AFCON 2027 remains the immediate target On the football front, Constantine said his primary objective is to guide Rwanda back to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, a tournament the country has never qualified for despite decades of attempts. He pointed to signs of progress since his return to the Amavubi dugout. When I was here in 2014, Rwanda was ranked 64th in the world. When I returned, the team was 132nd, and now we are 119th. The coach stressed that qualification is within reach but warned against complacency. We need four more points to strengthen our chances of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations. It would be the first time in 22 or 23 years, but we still have four very difficult matches ahead. Nothing has been achieved yet. Constantine also recalled how local journalists became excited after Rwanda's victory over Cape Verde, with some already talking about qualification. I told them in Kinyarwanda, 'Tuza!' meaning calm down, he said with a smile. The phrase quickly became a headline across local media outlets. Building for the future The veteran coach believes youth development is the cornerstone of Rwanda's long-term football success. He revealed that his nephew, Nicholas de Long, was brought in to help oversee youth football development, while efforts have intensified to identify talented players both inside and outside the country. Constantine expressed satisfaction with the progress being made at youth level, highlighting the qualification of Rwanda's U-17 national team for the Africa Cup of Nations and the U-23 team's advancement to the second round of Olympic qualifiers. He added that all national teams are increasingly adopting a unified playing philosophy, largely based on a 4-4-2 formation, to establish a recognizable Rwandan football identity. The coach also highlighted his role in helping Rwanda's top-flight league partner with Hudl's Wyscout platform, ensuring that matches from the BK Pro League are available to scouts and clubs worldwide. The changes have started. Our players will now be visible on Wyscout, meaning clubs around the world can watch and assess them. He believes the move will significantly improve opportunities for Rwandan players seeking careers abroad. Dreaming of England, eyeing the World Cup Despite being fully committed to his role with Rwanda, Constantine admitted that he still harbours ambitions of coaching in his native England. Of course I would like to coach in England. I'm English, why wouldn't I? But I don't know if it will ever happen. If it does, great. If it doesn't, that's fine too. Having previously worked with clubs including Millwall and Bournemouth, he said he sometimes feels his achievements abroad have not received the recognition they deserve back home. The coach noted that he has received honours and awards in countries such as Nepal and Cyprus, yet opportunities in England have remained limited. For now, however, his focus remains firmly on Rwanda. I desperately want to take Rwanda to the Africa Cup of Nations. I would also love to take them to the World Cup, although that may take a few more years. A message to visitors Beyond football, Constantine encouraged international visitors to explore Rwanda's rich tourism attractions, particularly the mountain gorillas, national parks and the shores of Lake Kivu. He described Rwanda as a country blessed with extraordinary natural beauty and warm, welcoming people. Anyone who comes to Rwanda should experience the gorillas, the national parks and Lake Kivu. It's a fantastic country with wonderful people. As Rwanda continues its push towards continental and global football milestones, Constantine remains convinced that the foundations for long-term success are finally being laid. His immediate challenge is securing a historic AFCON qualification, but his ultimate dream is even bigger: leading the Amavubi onto football's grandest stage, the FIFA World Cup.
