The trio spoke to the media on Monday, November 9, 2026, as the national team prepared to leave Kigali for Bamako ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.
Forward Nshuti Innocent said preparations were going well, adding that the players were determined to give their best to help Rwanda qualify for the continental tournament.
“Preparations are going well, and we have received updates that those who have not yet joined us are also doing well. Our objective is to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. We are going to Mali to win, although even a draw would keep us on course towards that goal,” he said.
He added that changes within the squad had brought a different dynamic, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to deliver.
Niyomugabo Claude, who plays as a full-back but was called up without a club, said he had worked hard to meet the coach’s expectations and was ready to contribute to the team’s performance.
“The atmosphere is good, and no player has any problems. I do not sit back; I work on what the coaches ask me to do, which is why I am part of this team,” he said.
Niyomugabo said Rwanda would aim for a positive result away against Mali before targeting all three points in the return fixture at home.
“We are going to Mali to perform well away from home, but when we play at home, we must get all three points. Rwandans should have confidence in us. As players, we will work together and give them something to celebrate,” he added.
Head coach Stephen Constantine acknowledged that preparations had been challenging because of the limited time available to work with players, particularly those based abroad.
He explained that an agreement with the BK Pro League allows the technical team to work with locally based players three or four days before the international window opens. However, players competing abroad usually have only two or three days to join the squad before international matches.
“All you can do basically is work on the mindset, the mentality side of it, and explain the roles for each individual player in the position that he’s going to play. It’s difficult, but this is international football, so we don’t get too much time,” he said.
Despite the challenge, Constantine said the team was in good form and had developed a positive atmosphere during the training camp.
He acknowledged Mali’s strength, describing the team as one of Africa’s stronger sides, but insisted that Rwanda would travel with the same determination they showed against Cape Verde.
“We don’t enter any game and think that we’re going to lose. I don’t care who we’re playing. We have a lot of respect for Cape Verde, for Liberia, for Mali. They are good, solid teams,” he said.
“Mali is one of the stronger teams in Africa, would be a big test for us. But we feel that we are in good form. The atmosphere in the camp is probably one of the best camps or atmospheres that we’ve had in all four camps.”
He said Rwanda would approach the away fixture looking to collect points, adding that even a draw would be a satisfactory result ahead of the return match.
“We will go to Mali the same way we went to Cape Verde, to take something. We come back with a point, we’re happy. We come back with three points, we’re qualified. And it won’t be easy,” Constantine said.
He expects Mali to put Amavubi under pressure in the opening stages but said his players were prepared to fight throughout the match.
The coach also discussed his approach to squad selection, explaining that being called up does not guarantee a permanent place in the national team. He said Rwanda has promising players in the Under-17 and Under-23 teams who could compete for places in the senior squad.
Constantine stressed the importance of maintaining continuity across the national teams through a shared playing system and philosophy, while ensuring competition for places in every position.
Rwanda will face Mali on November 13, 2026, in their third Group K match of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
The two teams will meet again on November 17 at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
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