When Will Rwandan Refereeing Be Dressed in White?

This issue has been raised numerous times, but in the 2024/25 season, complaints about refereeing decisions have intensified. Many matches end with the losing team pointing fingers at referees, and upon closer analysis, their concerns often seem justified.

At the start of this season, teams like Rayon Sports, Gorilla FC, and AS Kigali showed a strong desire to start well, securing early points. However, refereeing controversies have persisted, with some referees' mistakes sparking debates, particularly in high-stakes matches.

In several games, fans and analysts have highlighted decisions that did not align with the rules, affecting the course of matches. A notable example is the game between Rayon Sports and Etincelles FC on November 10, where Sumaila Moro’s late goal was disallowed, leading to heated discussions.

Similarly, in the first-leg match between APR FC and Vision FC in the 2024/25 Rwanda Premier League, many questioned why referee Dushimimana Eric awarded APR FC two controversial penalties while denying them two other seemingly clear penalties.

On February 1, 2024, Police FC and APR FC faced off in the final of the Heroes Cup, with Police FC winning the trophy after a 2-1 victory. Police FC’s goals were scored by Peter Agblevor in the 75th and 90+1 minutes, while Yunussu netted in the 13th minute.

However, this match was marred by controversy, particularly over Police FC’s second goal, which resulted from a throw-in dispute. The assistant referee, Mugabo Eric, indicated that APR FC should take the throw-in, while the center referee, Aline, ruled in favor of Police FC. This disagreement led to confusion, with APR FC players still arguing their case when Police FC took the throw-in as approved by the center referee, quickly scoring the decisive goal.

The referees overlooked their own inconsistency, disrupting APR FC’s focus and ultimately influencing the game’s outcome. As a result, Police FC secured the title, leaving APR FC and their supporters questioning the fairness of the officiating.

Some of the wrong decisions made by referees have had an impact on the teams that were wronged, including the loss of trophies

REFEREEING CONTROVERSY STRIKES AGAIN

On the night of Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Gasogi United President Kakooza Nkuliza Charles (KNC) stated that his team was not eliminated by APR FC but rather by the referee in the Peace Cup quarterfinals.

On Wednesday at 7 PM, APR FC hosted Gasogi United in the second leg of the Peace Cup quarterfinals at Kigali Pelé Stadium.

The match ended in a goalless draw (0-0), but since APR FC had won the first leg 1-0, they advanced to the semifinals.

During the game, Gasogi United’s president expressed his frustration with the officiating, particularly over a disallowed goal by Kokoete Udo Ibiok, who had received a pass from Mugisha Joseph Rama. The assistant referee, Habumugisha Emmanuel, ruled it offside.

Right after the goal was disallowed, KNC was seen storming towards Rwanda Premier League President Mudaheranwa Hadji, who was seated alongside APR FC Chairman Brig. Gen. Deo Rusanganwa, accusing them of robbery.

After the match, KNC stated that his team was not knocked out by APR FC but by the referee.

He said: "I was not eliminated by APR FC, I was eliminated by the referee, and you all saw it clearly. No matter what, we play, but the referee does what he wants."

The president of Gasogi United stated that his team was not eliminated by APR FC in the Peace Cup, but rather was eliminated by the referees who officiated the match

WHAT CAUSES REFEREEING ERRORS?

Refereeing mistakes have been a recurring issue in Rwandan football, sparking debates among fans, coaches, and analysts. Various factors contribute to these errors, affecting the integrity of the game and sometimes determining match outcomes unfairly.

One of the main causes of poor officiating is the pressure from fans and players. Some referees struggle to handle the intensity of the matches they officiate, especially when dealing with teams that have passionate supporters. This pressure can lead to rushed or biased decisions, particularly in crucial moments of the game.

Another major issue is poor positioning on the field. A referee’s ability to make the right call heavily depends on their positioning. Being too far from an incident or having a blocked line of sight can result in incorrect decisions, leading to frustration among teams and fans.

Moreover, lack of proper knowledge of updated football laws can also lead to mistakes. Football rules are frequently revised, and referees who fail to keep up with these changes may misinterpret situations, making calls that contradict the latest regulations.

The absence of advanced technology is another key factor affecting refereeing accuracy in Rwanda. In many top football leagues worldwide, technology such as VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has significantly reduced errors. However, in Rwanda, this technology is not yet fully implemented, making it difficult to review crucial match incidents effectively.

To improve refereeing standards, several measures need to be taken. Referees must undergo regular training to stay updated with rule changes and enhance their decision-making skills. Experienced referees should be assigned to high-profile matches, ensuring that critical games are handled by those with the best judgment. Additionally, investing in technology such as VAR can help minimize human errors and improve fairness in Rwandan football.

If immediate action is not taken, recurring refereeing mistakes could hinder the growth of Rwandan football and diminish trust in the fairness of the game. The responsible authorities must work together to find lasting solutions, ensuring that Rwandan football progresses with integrity and professionalism.

WHAT DOES FERWAFA SAY ABOUT THIS?

On October 28, 2023, the President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Munyantwari Alphonse, alleviated concerns from those worried about officiating in Rwanda, stating that anyone who intentionally makes a mistake will be held accountable.

He made these remarks following widespread talk about referees, particularly sparked by Rayon Sports fans after learning that the referee for their match against their rivals APR FC on matchday 9 of the league would be international referee Twagirumukiza AbdoulKarim. Many fans were critical of the referee, suggesting he had a bias in favor of APR FC.

Speaking to the media on October 28, 2023, Munyantwari Alphonse was asked about the issue and reassured football fans that no referee should deliberately wrong a team, and if such behavior happens, those responsible will face consequences. He said, "In reality, we do not always act based on emotions because if someone or a fan says they do not want this referee, we do not do it that way. If we were to do it based on such complaints, we would end up without any referee. What I would like to tell you is that we (officials) do not referee matches, but we will keep an eye on the field. If a referee makes a mistake deliberately, we will hold them accountable."

The president of FERWAFA in 2023 stated that referees should be held accountable for the mistakes they make on the field, which result in outcomes that differ from what should have been

REFEREES DO NOT ACCEPT ACCUSATIONS OF MISTAKES

When referees in Rwanda are accused of wronging teams or accepting bribes, they often refuse to listen to such criticisms. Instead of addressing the mistakes, they focus on denying the allegations made against them.

On Friday, February 2, 2024, the Rwanda Football Referees Association (ARAF) wrote to RBA journalist Rugangura Axel, requesting a detailed explanation for his comments on the sports program Urubuga rw’Imikino broadcast on Radio Rwanda, where he accused some referees of receiving regular salaries from teams.

Following this, on November 14, 2024, ARAF wrote to the head of RBA, urging them to reprimand their sports journalists for defaming the refereeing profession.

On November 8, 2024, during an episode of Radio Rwanda's Urubuga rw’Imikino, one of the journalists analyzed the integrity of some referees in Rwanda.