The Rwandan Premier League (Shampiyona y'icyiciro cya mbere) has faced consistent challenges in producing high-scoring strikers. Despite significant investments in foreign forwards, goal-scoring records remain modest compared to other leagues worldwide.
Legendary players like Jimmy Gatete, Ebed Mulenda, and Lomami André have left their mark in the league's history, but none managed to exceed the 14-goal threshold in a single season.
This season, Nigeria's Umar Abba, playing for Bugesera FC, led the scoring charts with 17 goals, narrowly missing out on the all-time single-season record held by Jules Ulimwengu, who set a benchmark with 20 goals.
Below, we spotlight the top 10 players who have scored the most goals in one season over the past 30 years of the Rwandan Premier League:
10. Babua Samson (15 goals)
In March 2020, when the Rwandan Premier League was interrupted by the Coronavirus outbreak, Nigerian striker Babua Samson dominated the charts with 15 goals in 24 games. His stellar efforts with Sunrise FC, which he joined in the 2016/2017 season, earned him a move to Kiyovu Sports.
In 2021, Samson briefly played in Angola for Bravos do Maquis before returning to Sunrise FC.
Babua Samson scored 15 goals while playing for Sunrise FC.
9. Tchabalala (15 goals)
Shabani Hussein, nicknamed "Tchabalala," is a Burundian striker known for his consistency in the Rwandan Premier League. During the 2021/2022 season, he scored 15 goals for AS Kigali, topping the league's charts.
After arriving in Rwanda in 2016 to join Amagaju FC, Tchabalala played for Rayon Sports in 2018, helping the team reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Later, he moved to South Africa's Baroka FC, followed by Ethiopia's Coffee Sports Club in 2019. Earlier in 2019/2020, he netted 13 goals for Bugesera FC.
8. Victor Mbaoma (15 goals)
Victor Mbaoma, a Nigerian striker for APR FC, scored 15 goals during the 2023/2024 season, tying with Ani Elijah. Unfortunately, injuries hindered his momentum, causing him to miss games and reducing his scoring opportunities.
7. Ani Elijah (15 goals)
Another Nigerian forward, Ani Elijah, also netted 15 goals during the 2023/2024 season, while playing for Bugesera FC. However, after transferring to Police FC for RWF 30 million during the summer, his performance dipped dramatically, managing only 7 goals this season.
6. Amis Cedrick (16 goals)
Burundian player Amis Cedrick made an unforgettable debut during the second half of the 2012/2013 season, scoring 16 goals for Rayon Sports in just 16 matches. His contributions helped the Nyanza-based team secure the league title.
In 2014, Cedrick faced disciplinary action from FERWAFA and served a 6-month suspension following a controversy during a match between Rayon Sports and AS Kigali. He went on to play for multiple teams but currently remains unattached.
Amis Cedrick scored 16 goals in just 16 matches.
5. Hakizimana Muhadjiri (16 goals)
Hakizimana Muhadjiri, a standout Rwandan player now with Police FC, tied for top scorer with 16 goals during the 2015/2016 season, sharing the honor with Danny Usengimana.
4. Michael Sarpong (16 goals)
Ghanaian star Michael Sarpong became an instant sensation after joining Rayon Sports in 2018 from Dreams FC. His 16 goals during the 2018/2019 season led the team to clinch the league championship.
Following his success, Sarpong secured a trial with China's Changchun Yatai FC, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans. After briefly rejoining Rayon Sports, he parted ways in 2020 under controversial circumstances involving accusations against the club’s president.
Michael Sarpong is among the top scorers in a single Rwandan league season.
3. Umar Abba (17 goals)
Nigerian striker Umar Abba shone during the 2023/2024 season, outscoring his peers with 17 goals. Known for his hat-trick in Bugesera FC's 5-0 win against Kiyovu Sports, Abba bested other prominent scorers like Fall Ngagne of Rayon Sports (13 goals).
2. Danny Usengimana (19 goals)
Danny Usengimana achieved the second-highest single-season goal tally with 19 goals during the 2016/2017 campaign with Police FC. This followed his 16-goal performance the previous season, tying with Hakizimana Muhadjiri.
Usengimana later moved to Tanzania's Singida FC, before stints at APR FC and returning to Police FC. He has since retired from football.
1. Jules Ulimwengu (20 goals)
Jules Ulimwengu, a Burundian sensation, dominates the charts as Rwanda's all-time top scorer for a single season. In 2018/2019, he netted a record-breaking 20 goals—9 for Sunrise FC and 11 for Rayon Sports—propelling Rayon Sports to the league title.
Jules Ulimwengu set Rwanda's single-season scoring record with 20 goals.