Cover — Kigali skyline

Politics - 4 April 2026

Rwanda’s Amavubi win FIFA Series 2026, players signal rising ambitions

By Amina Kabasele3 min readFrançais

Kigali, Rwanda, March 31, 2026 - Rwanda’s national football team, Rwanda national football team, has won the FIFA Series 2026 Group A title after a 2-0 victory over Estonia in the final held at Amahoro Stadium. The tournament, hosted in Rwanda for the first time, was attended by President Paul Kagame and marked a historic achievement for the national side. Captain Bizimana Djihad praised the team’s discipline and tactical execution, saying the squad’s unity and preparation were key to their success. Newly introduced players, including Leroy-Jacques Mickels, were highlighted for their impact during the competition, with Mickels being named player of the tournament. Team officials described the victory as a sign of growing confidence and a foundation for future competitions, including qualification campaigns for the Africa Cup of Nations. Former international Haruna Niyonzima, now serving in a managerial role, said the result reflects a broader transformation within Rwandan football and signaled that the team could achieve further surprises in upcoming tournaments.

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