Key responsibilities awaiting the new Amavubi coach

On Tuesday night, the Rwanda Football Federation officially announced the end of its collaboration with Torsten Frank Spittler. The German coach had been at the helm of the national team for one year. 

Now, all eyes are on the yet-to-be-named new coach who will lead the team on their ongoing journey to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Rwanda faces the urgent task of appointing a new coach promptly to prepare for critical matches scheduled for March. These matches include hosting Nigeria and Lesotho, games that will play a crucial role in determining the team’s path to World Cup qualification.

The new coach will inherit a team grappling with various challenges, including injuries and the absence of key players. Emmanuel Manishimwe, also known as Mangwende, has been sidelined due to injury and underwent surgery on Tuesday. 

Currently, Niyomugabo Claude is considered Mangwende’s replacement, though there are debates about his performance, with many emphasizing that Amavubi without Mangwende struggles to excel.

The new coach may also encounter players who are not in their best form. For instance, goalkeeper Ntwali Fiacre appears to have settled for a backup role at Kaiser Chiefs, while Manzi Thierry of Al Ahli Tripoli is still striving to regain his position after recovering from an injury.

Expectations are high for the new coach to reintegrate players like Rafael York and Hakim Sahabu, who were excluded from the national team due to disagreements with the outgoing coach. 

Additionally, there is an ongoing initiative to identify and recruit Rwandan players from the diaspora who can strengthen the Amavubi and elevate their international standing.

The new coach is also expected to build on the team’s current achievements, as the Amavubi are currently leading Group C in the race for a 2026 World Cup spot. 

However, tough matches lie ahead. The team is set to host Nigeria, Lesotho, and Benin, as well as visit Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, before sealing their qualification.

The path to the World Cup is demanding, but with strategic leadership and effective team management, Rwanda can rise to the occasion.