Mukazayire told Members of Parliament on Thursday that the government was not satisfied with the team’s current performance but had put in place a long-term strategy aimed at building a competitive and professional football system.
“We are not satisfied with the way Amavubi are performing,” she said. “Changes will continue at the Federation, the Ministry and elsewhere for as long as we have not achieved the results we expect.”
Her remarks came after MP Rutebuka Balinda, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Youth and Sports, questioned the frequent turnover of coaches and leadership within the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), warning that instability could undermine progress.
Mukazayire said the changes were intended to establish a clear direction for Rwandan football, focused on professionalism, talent development and achieving victories.
She acknowledged that the national team’s results reflect the broader state of football development in the country, arguing that meaningful improvement requires structural reforms rather than short-term fixes.
A key pillar of the strategy, she said, is identifying and recruiting talented players of Rwandan origin living abroad while ensuring their integration serves national interests.
“We must identify them, bring them in and use them effectively. We have already discussed this with FERWAFA and implementation is underway,” she said.
The minister also stressed that coaching contracts must clearly define performance targets, warning that leadership changes would persist if expectations are not met.
“If contracts do not clearly state the expected outcomes, you will continue to see changes because we need results,” she said.
Youth development forms the core of the reform agenda. Mukazayire said players under the ages of 15 and 17 will be closely monitored and systematically developed so they can transition into competitive professional football by the age of 21.
“You cannot neglect youth development and expect to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” she said. “We must build from the grassroots.”
Rwanda plans to establish a National Football Academy where young players can train and study together as part of a long-term effort to build a stronger national team.
Currently, the Isonga talent development programme operates in 17 schools with 599 children and is expected to expand to more than 2,000 participants. Other initiatives include the Bayern Munich academy in Rwanda, the Paris Saint-Germain academy and the Tony Football academy, which collectively support youth talent development.
Mukazayire cautioned that the reforms would take time to produce tangible results, estimating that visible improvements may require at least five years.
Meanwhile, FERWAFA recently parted ways with head coach Adel Amrouche on January 14, 2026, after one year in charge. The federation said it has received 688 applications from qualified candidates and will shortlist coaches based on credentials, experience with national teams and participation in major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
With less than a month before Rwanda hosts the FIFA Series friendly matches in Kigali from March 23–31, the national team remains without a head coach. Rwanda is scheduled to face Estonia, Grenada and Kenya in Group A.
Mukazayire also emphasized the importance of mentality, noting that defeats are not always due to a lack of technical ability but can stem from psychological factors affecting players and coaching staff.
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