Football in Rwanda
Encyclopedia
The sport
of football
in the country of Rwanda
is run by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association. The association administers the national football team
, as well as the Rwandan Premier League
.
n football. They have attempted to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on a number of occasions but managed this only once, in 2004. Although eliminated in the first round Rwanda did manage to defeat former champions Congo DR
and draw with Guinea
.
They also participate in the CECAFA Cup
, a regional tournament involving east and central African national teams only. Rwanda's sole international success came in this competition when the country's 'B' team defeated Kenya
in the final. Rwanda's full national team, which also took part in the competition, actually finished third with the second string winning.
is the country's top competition, with APR FC
its most successful club. The Rwandan Cup
is the main knock-out competition, with Rayon Sports FC the leading side in the cup. On the international stage Rwandan sides have enjoyed some success in the regional Kagame Inter-Club Cup
, with Rayon Sport taking the title in 1998, APR FC winning in 2005 and 2007 and ATRACO FC
successful in 2009.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
of football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
in the country of Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
is run by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association. The association administers the national football team
Rwanda national football team
The Rwanda national football team, nicknamed Amavubi , is the national team of Rwanda and is controlled by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Amateur...
, as well as the Rwandan Premier League
Rwandan Premier League
The Primus National Soccer League is the highest division in football in Rwanda. The league was formed in 1975.-Clubs for the 2011–12 season:*Amagaju FC *APR FC *AS Kigali *Etincelles FC *La Jeunesse FC...
.
National team
The Rwanda national team has traditionally been among the weaker sides in AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n football. They have attempted to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on a number of occasions but managed this only once, in 2004. Although eliminated in the first round Rwanda did manage to defeat former champions Congo DR
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
and draw with Guinea
Guinea national football team
The Guinea national football team, nicknamed Syli national , is the national team of Guinea and is controlled by the Fédération Guinéenne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals, and their best finish in the African Nations Cup was second in the 1976...
.
They also participate in the CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It is a tournament of FIFA and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations , and includes national teams from Central and East Africa...
, a regional tournament involving east and central African national teams only. Rwanda's sole international success came in this competition when the country's 'B' team defeated Kenya
Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
in the final. Rwanda's full national team, which also took part in the competition, actually finished third with the second string winning.
Club football
The Rwandan Premier LeagueRwandan Premier League
The Primus National Soccer League is the highest division in football in Rwanda. The league was formed in 1975.-Clubs for the 2011–12 season:*Amagaju FC *APR FC *AS Kigali *Etincelles FC *La Jeunesse FC...
is the country's top competition, with APR FC
APR FC
Armée Patriotique Rwandaise FC is a football club from Kigali in Rwanda. The club plays their home games at Amahoro Stadium. APR FC were founded in June 1993....
its most successful club. The Rwandan Cup
Rwandan Cup
The Rwandan Cup is the top knockout tournament of the Rwandan football. It was created in 1975.-Winners:*1975 : Kiyovu Sports *1976 : Rayon Sport *1978 : Mukura Victory Sports *1979 : Rayon Sport...
is the main knock-out competition, with Rayon Sports FC the leading side in the cup. On the international stage Rwandan sides have enjoyed some success in the regional Kagame Inter-Club Cup
Kagame Inter-Club Cup
The CECAFA Club Cup is a football club competition. It has been known as the Kagame Inter-Club Cup since 2002 due to sponsorship reasons as Rwandan President Paul Kagame has bankrolled the tournaments.It is played by clubs from East and Central Africa....
, with Rayon Sport taking the title in 1998, APR FC winning in 2005 and 2007 and ATRACO FC
ATRACO FC
ATRACO FC is a football club from Kigali in Rwanda. It won the Rwandan Premier League in 2008 .-Achievements:*Rwandan Premier League: 1*CECAFA Club Cup: 1-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 1 appearance...
successful in 2009.