Rwandan League’s Foreign Player Rule Hindering Amavubi’

The Amavubi of Rwanda Head Coach, Torsten Spittler, has revealed that a new policy introduced by Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) for the country’s league is severely impacting the development of their national team, Completesports.com reports.

Spittler made this remark while addressing reporters after his home-based Amavubi squad inflicted a shock 2-1 defeat on the Super Eagles in the final qualification match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.

When asked if having the majority of his squad drawn from the country’s two leading clubs, APR FC and AS Kigali, contributed to better team cohesion, Spittler dismissed the notion. He explained that national team selectors now face a daunting challenge scouting players due to the new Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) rule permitting clubs to sign up to 12 foreign players.

Also Read: ‘Proud We Beat Super Eagles, But Sad We Missed 2025 AFCON’ —Rwanda Coach Spittler

“It hasn’t been easy at all,” Spittler lamented. “The new law by the RFF, which allows clubs to sign as many as 12 foreign players, makes it difficult for coaches to select players for the Amavubi.

“As a coach, you go out, week in, week out, to league matches searching for players to invite, but you often see players of Rwandan nationality sitting on the bench. This isn’t helping matters at all.

“This is due to the transfer rule allowing clubs to sign 12 foreign players. As a result, indigenous players are usually benched, and this is not good for the development of the national team,” the German-born tactician explained.

Also Read: AFCON 2025Q: ‘I Feel Sad; Super Eagles Played Below Standard Against Rwanda’ –Eguavoen

Goals from Angel Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti overshadowed Samuel Chukwueze’s 51st-minute strike for the Super Eagles, as the Amavubi secured a surprise 2-1 victory.