Former Amavubi Players Association

FAPA expresses deep concern over the incidents last night during the FIFA Series final, where our national team captain Djihad and Manzi Thierry were stopped by a security protocol steward from allowing their children to join them on the pitch during the post-match celebrations. Such actions fall short of the respect and dignity our players deserve, especially in moments of national pride and personal significance. We strongly believe that football must always place players at its heart—honouring not only their performance on the pitch, but also their humanity off it. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments that should be shared freely with loved ones. We call for a thorough review of these situations and for clear measures to ensure they are not repeated. Respect, empathy, and professionalism must guide everyone involved in our game. @FERWAFA @Rwanda_Sports @RwandaLeague

FAPA expresses deep concern over the incidents last night during the FIFA Series final, where our national team captain Djihad and Manzi Thierry were stopped by a security protocol steward from allowing their children to join them on the pitch during the post-match celebrations. Such actions fall short of the respect and dignity our players deserve, especially in moments of national pride and personal significance. We strongly believe that football must always place players at its heart—honouring not only their performance on the pitch, but also their humanity off it. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments that should be shared freely with loved ones. We call for a thorough review of these situations and for clear measures to ensure they are not repeated. Respect, empathy, and professionalism must guide everyone involved in our game. @FERWAFA @Rwanda_Sports @RwandaLeague

🎂 | BIRTHDAY: Celebrating Ernest Sugira—a prolific striker & top scorer who has proudly represented #Amavubi with passion & pride. ⚽🔥 His iconic goal at #CHAN2020, sending Rwanda to the quarter-finals during Guma mu Rugo, remains unforgettable. 🇷🇼 Happy Birthday, legend! 🎉 Twifurije isabukuru nziza, Ernest SUGIRA!

#DiscoverMoreAboutAmavubiLegends: Aloys Kanamugire a.k.a. Mwalimu: A Pioneer of Rwandan Football as Player, Coach, and Rebuilder. Aloys Kanamugire began his international career with Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, in 1974 and retired in 1982. He started his coaching training in 1975 in Rwanda. Shortly after, coach Otto Pfister secured him a one-year coaching training opportunity in Germany (1976–1977). Upon returning to Rwanda, he continued playing before transitioning into coaching. In 1981, he began coaching the national team, Amavubi, as they prepared for their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match against Ethiopia. Kanamugire coached Panthères Noires from 1977 to 1986. In addition to Panthères Noires, @rayon_sports, and @SCKiyovuSports, he also coached @MukuraVS during the period when football clubs were rebuilding in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He later coached Atraco FC in the second division, guiding them to promotion to the first division unbeaten, within less than a year of the club’s formation. Beyond his achievements as a player and coach, Kanamugire played a pivotal role in nurturing, developing, and discovering some of Rwanda’s finest football talents. Among those he helped shape are Iyakaramye Badru (a.k.a. Imana y’Ibitego), Habibu, Munyakazi Hassan, Rugumire Gatete Seleman (a.k.a. Rutwitsi), Abdallahaman Vita Hakizimana, Ngabonzima Onesphore, Michel Kamanzi, Nuru Munyemana, Ashiraf Munyeneza Kadubiri, Abu, Desire Mbonabucya, Hubert Nshizirungu (a.k.a. Bebe), and Jimmy Gatete, among many others. Aloys Kanamugire also played a key role in organizing the first football match held in Rwanda after the Genocide against the Tutsi. The match brought together Kiyovu Sports and Rayon Sports and was organized at the request of Théoneste Mutsindashyaka, then Director of Cabinet in the Ministry of Sports. It took place on September 11, 1994, and was attended by 4,601 spectators, with an entrance fee of 100 Rwandan Francs.

🇷🇼⚽ Long before modern stadiums and academies, there was a young student at Petit Séminaire with a ball at his feet and a dream. That young man was Aloys Kanamugire—fondly known as Mwalimu. From the late 1960s, his journey began. By the 1970s, he was already making his mark with Demar FC in Gitarama/Muhanga before joining Rwandan giants Garde Nationale—later Panthères Noires—where his legend truly took shape. Aloys was one of the finest wingers of his generation—fast, skilful, and equally strong with both feet, with opponents often unable to tell his stronger side. His precise crosses, exceptional set pieces, and outstanding free-kick ability made him a constant threat on the pitch. As #Amavubi emerged in the mid-1970s, he became a key figure in the national team, continuing into the early 1980s. In his later playing years, he took on the rare role of player-coach, before making history as the first Rwandan to coach the national team after completing his training in Germany. He went on to achieve great success as a coach—winning multiple titles with Panthères Noires, and later leading clubs like Rayon Sports and Kiyovu Sport, where he secured the league title in 1993. 🏆 After 1994, when Rwanda needed rebuilding, Mwalimu remained committed to the game—coaching, mentoring, and helping shape both players and structures. From Amavubi to Rwanda B (CECAFA 1999 winners), and youth teams including the U17 side that reached the 2011 World Cup in Mexico, his impact has spanned generations. His dedication extended beyond the touchline—serving as a technical leader within the Ministry of Sport and FERWAFA, and contributing to initiatives like the Bayer Academy in Rwanda. Today, he continues to give back as a senior advisor within FAPA. A life devoted to football. A legacy that continues to inspire. If you’ve ever been coached, inspired, or impacted by Mwalimu—share your memory below. Let’s celebrate a life that helped build the game we love. 🇷🇼❤️

#What do people say about Mwalimu Aloys Kanamugire? 🇷🇼⚽ Igice 1: "Reka najye nifurize Mwarimu Kanamugire isabukuru nziza (Happy belated birthday Aloys). Yewe ndumva iby'iyi nararibonye ubivuye imuzi, kuko udusabye kugira icyo two twongeraho, reka mbikore. Uyu mugabo navuga ko namumenye neza mu mpera y'imyaka ya za 70 (1970s) cyane avuye mu mahugurwa mu Budage, yanaje ubona afite umupira unoze pe, ndetse we na Rugirangoga bajyanyeyo wasangaga bafite uwo mwihariko. Tukiri muri ayo mahugurwa nyagarutseho nkana kuko tutakwirengagizako yayarangije ari we wa mbere muri iyo stage, ibyo mu mvugo ya football bitaga "Major de la promotion", ibyo sinzi impamvu abantu batabimenye cyangwa ngo babihe agaciro kabyo. Ahubwo rero no mu mahugurwa yaberaga mu Rwanda iyo atabaga ari we uyayoboye iyo yajyagamo nk'umunyeshuri yayarangizaga ari wa mbere buri gihe (mbisubiremo BURI GIHE). Ayo natangaho urugero ni ayabaye muri 1990, kuko nibwo bwa mbere mu Rwanda bari bakoze amahugurwa yo mu kiciro cya gatatu (3è Degré) icyo gihe ni nacyo cyari kw'isonga y'ayandi yose muri football. Kubera iyo niveau, hari hatumiwe umusaza w'ikirangirire muri Ruhago, uwo ni uwitwa Helenio Herrera, ntibyavuzwe cyane ariko abakurikira bari bazi ko ari amahirwe adasanzwe kugira iyi nararibonye mu gihugu, uyu yatoje Inter Milan, Barcelona na Atlético Madrid. Ariko icyo yibukirwaho cyane ni impinduka yazanye muri Ruhago: mu Butaliyani ndetse kugeza magingo aya havugwa ukuntu football yabo irangwa no kugarira inyuma hakaba umutamenwa, ibi byiswe "Catenacio", nubwo Herrera atari we wayihimbye ariko yarayivuguruye bidasubirwaho azana ibyo bita "Libero" benshi twamenye nka nimero Gatanu. Ku batari babizi mumenye rero uwabizanye. Sinazinduwe no kuvuga Helenio Herrera (kuko byanaba birebire) ariko mwumve agaciro byari bifite kumugira mu gihugu, ndetse n'ireme ayo mahugurwa yari afite, ayo nayo Aloys Kanamugire yayarangije ariwe wa mbere, akurikirwa na Rutsindura Antoine (nawe ukiriho), abandi nibuka baritahiye nka Kanamugire Deo, Kayihura Camille na Sitaki! Mvuze ayo mazina ngo twibuke n'abo bagabo kuko bari muri mbarwa bafite icyiciro cya gatatu! Abo Aloys akababa kw'isonga (Major de la promotion na none). Usibye n'ibyo rero, Aloys yari umutoza w'abatoza (Instructeur des instructeurs), mu mahugurwa y'ubutoza ni benshi bamunyuze imbere. Ahubwo twongereho ko yari n'umutoza w'abasifuzi, abariho icyo gihe nabo hafi ya bose bamuciye imbere. Kuvuga ibigwi bya Aloys Kanamugire utavuze ikipe ya ARABICA waba usize ikintu gikomeye,  uti kuki?: muri 1981/82 Kiyovu yazanye kabuhariwe Muvala Valens na Tindo Bulungu, bityo bashyira iherezo ku mwanya wa kabiri babonaga buri mwaka, nyuma ya Panthères Noires akenshi, bahise baba Champions ubwo. Muti ese ibyo bihuriye he na ARABICA wari uvuze? Ndabibaha! Icyo gihe ARABICA yabaye iya mbere mu Cyiciro cya kabiri, igomba kuzamuka mu cya mbere! Aloys Kanamugire arabyanga. Abantu benshi ntibiyumvishaga ibyo arimo (babyumvise nyuma), Kanamugire yaravuze ati mubahe undi mwaka mu Cyiciro cya kabiri barusheho kumenyerana (ku batabizi ARABICA yari nk'ikipe ya kabiri ya Panthères Noires), umwaka wakurikiyeho yayisenyeye muri Pantheres, ARABICA irasenyuka yego (ntiyongeye kubaho) ariko Panthères iriyubaka bidasubirwaho. Ni uko yagize abakinnyi nka Iyakaremye Badru, Hassan Munyakazi,  Rugumire,  Nkunzurwanda Hassan (Ndanda), Gatete Selemani, Vita Abdulhamani. Cya gikombe Kiyovu yari yatwaye ntiyongeye kukirabukwa, Panthères yarongeye iba iya mbere imyaka yakurikiyeho,  Muvala Valens yarinze ava mu Rwanda muri 1987 atongeye kuba Champion.

#WARUZIKO: Amateka y'umunyabigwi Aloys Kanamugire, uzwi nka Mwalimu—umwe mu bagize uruhare rukomeye mu mateka ya ruhago y’u Rwanda. Mwalimu Aloys yatangiye gukina mu mpera zo mu 1960 akiri umunyeshuri muri Petit Séminaire, nyuma yaho yaje kumenyekana mu ikipe yitwaga Demar FC yo muri Gitarama/Muhanga no muri Panthères Noires, aho yari umukinnyi wihuta, ufite ubuhanga kandi ukoresha amaguru yombi neza. Yanabaye umwe mu bakinnyi ba mbere ba #Amavubi, nyuma aza kuba umutoza wa mbere w’Umunyarwanda watoje ikipe y’igihugu. Yatoje amakipe atandukanye atsindira ibikombe byinshi, anakomeza gufasha iterambere rya ruhago y’u Rwanda mu nzego zitandukanye. Uyu munsi, aracyatanga umusanzu nk’umujyanama mukuru muri FAPA. Twishimira ubuzima bwe n’umurage we muri ruhago yacu. Niba warakinanye, waratojwe cyangwa waragiriwe inama na Mwalimu Aloys Kanamugire, sangiza abandi inkuru yawe murwego rwo kubaka no guhesha agaciro umurage we. 🇷🇼⚽

🇷🇼⚽ Long before modern stadiums and academies, there was a young student at Petit Séminaire with a ball at his feet and a dream. That young man was Aloys Kanamugire—fondly known as Mwalimu. From the late 1960s, his journey began. By the 1970s, he was already making his mark with Demar FC in Gitarama/Muhanga before joining Rwandan giants Garde Nationale—later Panthères Noires—where his legend truly took shape. Aloys was one of the finest wingers of his generation—fast, skilful, and equally strong with both feet, with opponents often unable to tell his stronger side. His precise crosses, exceptional set pieces, and outstanding free-kick ability made him a constant threat on the pitch. As #Amavubi emerged in the mid-1970s, he became a key figure in the national team, continuing into the early 1980s. In his later playing years, he took on the rare role of player-coach, before making history as the first Rwandan to coach the national team after completing his training in Germany. He went on to achieve great success as a coach—winning multiple titles with Panthères Noires, and later leading clubs like Rayon Sports and Kiyovu Sport, where he secured the league title in 1993. 🏆 After 1994, when Rwanda needed rebuilding, Mwalimu remained committed to the game—coaching, mentoring, and helping shape both players and structures. From Amavubi to Rwanda B (CECAFA 1999 winners), and youth teams including the U17 side that reached the 2011 World Cup in Mexico, his impact has spanned generations. His dedication extended beyond the touchline—serving as a technical leader within the Ministry of Sport and FERWAFA, and contributing to initiatives like the Bayer Academy in Rwanda. Today, he continues to give back as a senior advisor within FAPA. A life devoted to football. A legacy that continues to inspire. If you’ve ever been coached, inspired, or impacted by Mwalimu—share your memory below. Let’s celebrate a life that helped build the game we love. 🇷🇼❤️