Rwanda’s Premier League has seen some homegrown football prospects pulling to magic against all odds while a number of young Rwandan players plying their trades in Europe also continue to make giant strides in their football career.
The likes of Noam Emeran and Irvin Lomami have already carved a niche for themselves and are already establishing themselves among the best young talents in world football.
As we begin 2023, Times Sport takes a look at 10 Rwandan players who the world should watch out for.
Irvyn Lomami (Olympique Lyon, France)
The 18-year-old right-back was promoted to the Lyon senior team in July 2022 and has appeared a couple of times on the bench though he mainly features for the U21’s.
The development of the teenager has been incredible. He just spent one season with the U19 team before being roped into the senior team in July 2022 by then coach Peter Bosz after excelling in pre-season.
He is expected to get some minutes at the senior side under club new manager Laurent Blanc.
Clement Niyigena (APR FC, Rwanda)
At 21, the APR FC defender is a full Rwandan international having made his senior debut on January 3, 2022 in a friendly against Guinea.
Niyigena who can play as a central defender as well as a right-back is the skipper of the Amavubi U23 team and he was phenomenal during the AFCON U23 qualifiers as his brace helped Rwanda see off Libya in an infamous comeback that saw the country progress to the next round of the qualifiers although they were ousted by Mali.
The youngster has shown qualities in aerials, duels and interceptions have seen his enjoy a quick rise to the top form that earned him a big money move to APR FC.
He is a player that could attract interest from foreign teams in the region and overseas in 2023. APR could make some good business out of the football prodigy.
Hakim Sahabo (Lille, France)
Born in Belgium on June 16, 2005, Sahabo is the youngest player ever to play for the Rwandan national team when he featured in the senior national team’s friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and St. Eloi Lupopo in Morocco back in September last year.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder plies his trade for the U19 team of Lille in France and he is highly-rated among the best players in the division.
Noe Uwimana (Philadelphia Union, USA)
The 17-year-old right-back has been dominant for the Philadelphia Union Academy at the U17 level and his exploits has caught the eyes of Virginia Tech who have signed a pre-contract with him that will be valid in August 2023.
Uwimana, who was born to a Rwandan father and an American mother, has been tipped to attain greater success in his career.
Jonathan Nsanzimana (Titus Petange, Luxembourg)
Groomed at the famous Bayern Munich Academy, the 18-year-old right-back moved to German fourth tier side SSV Ulm in January 2022 on a free transfer where he played fifteen games in the 2021/2022 season for their U19 team.
Nsanzimana’s quest to play top level football saw him move to Luxembourg Premier League side Titus Petange in August 2022. He is expected to take the Luxembourg League by storm.
Noam Emeran (Manchester United, England)
The talented winger has already had a couple of training sessions with the Manchester United senior team though he still pays for the U21s side in the Premier League 2.
The 19-year-old winger signed a new two-year contract with the Red Devils in May 2022 despite interest from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen. He is one of the players who could be offered a permanent place in the senior team by manager ErikTen Hag who is currently taking control of Man United’s reserves to ensure young talents have a route to the first team just like he was at Ajax.
Espoir Niyo Nsanzineza (Rapperswil Jona, Switzerland)
Nsanzineza, 19, plays for Swiss outfit Rapperswil Jona as a defensive midfielder and he is among the best players in the third tier league.
The teenager has played six times for his club in the ongoing 2022/2023 season and has been excellent despite the limited playing time.
With his contract set to end on June 30, 2023, whether he signs a new deal or decides to move to another club, Nsanzineza will be among the young Rwandan players to watch in 2023.
Moise Nyarugabo (AS Kigali, Rwanda)
Nyarugabo first shot into the limelight in 2018 when his four goals helped Rwanda to reach the semifinals of the CECAFA U17 tournament in Tanzania.
The 20-year-ol AS Kigali talent is among the brightest prospects in the Rwandan Premier League and he is among the players that people should keep an eye on in 2023.
Prince Rudasingwa (Rayon Sports, Rwanda)
The 19-year-old striker has netted some goals for Rayon Sports this season and he has always delivered when called upon as a substitute.
His penalty for the Amavubi U23 against Libya ensured that the team progressed to the next stage of the qualifiers. His development and quick adaptation in the league shows how far the youngster could go. He is pretty worth watching in 2023.
Arthur Gitego (Marines FC, Rwanda)
Though Marines FC are struggling in the Rwandan Premier League, Arthur Gitego has been in top form, netting five league goals in the process.
The Amavubi U23 could move to one of the big teams in the Rwandan Premier in the July 2023 transfer window if he continues to excel. He is among young players that are exciting to watch playing in the league.
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