On the evening of Sunday, November 9, 2025, the Rwanda U-17 national football team had the honor of welcoming senior football figures, including celebrated professionals Jimmy Mulisa and Emery Bayisenge. This momentous gathering was aimed at inspiring and preparing the young athletes for an exciting competition ahead.
Key officials graced the event, including Shema Fabrice, President of the Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA), and Adel Amrouche, coach of the senior national football team, the Amavubi. Their presence provided a morale boost, showcasing the importance of this campaign for the entire nation.
During the visit, players received heartfelt encouragement, along with the symbolic handover of the Rwandan national flag, underlining the immense pride and responsibility tied to representing their country. The young Amavubi players vowed to strive for excellence and deliver their best performance in the forthcoming CECAFA U-17 championship.
The team is all set to depart from Kigali International Airport in Kanombe on Monday at 10:00 a.m. to head to Ethiopia for the tournament, which will span from November 15 to December 2, 2025. Under the experienced guidance of head coach Sosthene Habimana, the Amavubi U-17 team hopes to make a mark in this prestigious competition.
Rwanda has been placed in Group A of the CECAFA U-17 tournament, where they will face challenging teams from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the highly anticipated semi-finals of the CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA Region Qualifiers.
Jimmy Mulisa, one of the nation's football legends, made a memorable impact as he delivered advice and energized the young players with inspirational words. His insights and support aim to guide the team as they prepare for powerful competition on this international platform.
The solidarity between the players, their coaching staff, and the leaders who support them reflects a shared vision of success. This unity underscores Rwanda's mission to excel in the CECAFA U-17 stage and lay the groundwork for inspiring a new generation of football stars.
This tournament doubles as an opportunity to enhance national pride while showcasing the nation's young football talent on a competitive regional stage. As the countdown to the tournament begins, hopes are high for the Amavubi U-17s to deliver inspiring performances worthy of the Rwandan flag they carry with pride.