The countdown is on as members of the Rwanda FA prepare to vote for a new president during a general assembly scheduled for June 26. The next FA president will succeed Olivier Mugabo Nizeyimana who resigned from the position on April 19, citing ‘personal reasons’, including what he termed as “a lot of work.” For Rwandan football to prosper, there is a need to have an inspiring leadership that is committed to excellence, discipline, and national pride,. While no one has declared to run for the Ferwafa presidency, Weekend Sport’s Peter Kamasa takes you through potential candidates who could run for the top position. Fabrice Shema (AS Kigali) Fabrice Shema has been AS Kigali chairman since 2018. Since he took charge of the Kigalians, the City Hall-sponsored club has shown intent to challenge for titles, including during the 2020/21 season when they lost the league title to APR on goal difference. During his reign, Shema has managed to guide AS Kigali to two Peace Cup titles thanks to which the club went on to represent Rwanda in the CAF Confederation Cup in the past three seasons. His passion for football, coupled with experience in managing the topflight club and understanding the football business, rank him among key candidates tipped for the Ferwafa reins. Jean Fidele Uwayezu (Rayon Sports) Jean Fidele Uwayezu rebuilt Rayon Sports from scratch when he took the reins in October 2020. His election as the Blues president came at the time the club was faced with a managerial crisis which saw former president Sadate Munyakazi and his entire committee forced to step down. Munyakazi had repeatedly blamed members of the advisory council – composed of former presidents of the club – of being behind the club’s troubles that also involved embezzlement and lack of accountability. Rayon were at the time in a shambles and there were divided opinions about Uwayezu’s appointment. Some club officials had even, from the very first minute, refused to back him. But the way the retired army captain brought stability back in the team has earned him plaudits from many figures at the club. It also opened doors for new sponsorship deals. For him, it was important that he created a good working environment in order to develop and ensure that the most popular club in the country has the basics to provide members of staff, coaches, and players with the resources they needed in order to work at the level required. With such credentials, Uwayezu is also in a firm position to run for Ferwafa top job. Alphonse Munyantwali (Police FC) Since Alphonse Munyantwali was appointed as Police FC new chairman last week, reports started linking him, alongside APR Chairman Lt Gen Mubarak Muganga, to the FA top position although the latter quickly distanced himself from the possibility to lead the federation, saying he needed to dedicate much of his time to his current responsibilities as the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Chief of Staff. Munyentwali, a former governor, initially for Southern Province and later Western Province, is not new to the world of football. He was the Mayor of Nyamagabe District when Amagaju FC got promoted to the topflight league in 2015. During his tenure in office, the district was always supportive to the club until it got promoted to the topflight league. In less than a week since he opened up on switching his career to football when Police FC appointed him as their new chairman, Munyantwali has been tipped to lead Ferwafa. So, it shouldn’t perhaps come as a surprise to anyone if he declares his candidature to run for the position, and possibly even go on to replace Nizeyimana. Charles 'KNC' Nkuri Kakooza (Gasogi United) It's not the first time that the popular media owner and journalist is tipped to lead Ferwafa. Some thought he would contest for the top FA office back in 2021 against eventual winner Nizeyimana, but the Gasogi United boss did not submit a bid. In 2012, KNC, as he's popularly known, opened Radio 1 Rwanda and then TV1 Rwanda in 2014 before venturing into football business two years later when he founded Gasogi United. It would take the club four years before it could be promoted to the topflight league. KNC maybe a controversial character but his impact on Rwandan football is evident and it's not far-fetched to throw his name in the ring as one of the potential front-runners for the juicy job.
