Who should take over as president of Ferwafa? The countdown is already on as members of the Rwanda FA prepare to vote for a new president during a general assembly scheduled on June 26.
The new president will succeed Olivier Mugabo Nizeyimana who resigned from the position on April 19 citing ‘personal reasons’ including what he termed as “a lot of work.”
For Rwandan football to prosper, there is a need to have inspiring leadership that is absolutely committed to excellence, discipline, and national pride just like the Rwandan government, which is exactly what federation members always expect from the president.
While no one has declared to run for the Ferwafa presidency, Weekend Sport’s Peter Kamasa takes you through potential candidates who could run for the top position for the next four years.
Fabrice Shema (AS Kigali)
Shema has been AS Kigali chairman since 2018. Since he took charge, the City Hall-sponsored club has been challenging APR for the league title including the 2020/21 season where they lost the title to APR on goal difference.
During his reign, Shema has managed to guide AS Kigali to two Peace Cup title thanks to which the club went on to represent Rwanda in the CAF Confederation Cup during the past three seasons.
His passion for football, coupled with experience in managing the top flight club and understanding the football business, rank him among key candidates in line to take over the Ferwafa reins.
Jean Fidele Uwayezu (Rayon Sports)
Uwayezu rebuilt Rayon from scratch when he took the reins in October 2020.
His election came at the time the club was hit by managerial crisis which saw former president Sadate Munyakazi and his entire committee – who had for long been accused of mismanaging the club – were ordered to step down.
Munyakazi had repeatedly blamed members of the advisory council – composed by former presidents of the club – of being behind the club’s troubles that also involved embezzlement and lack of accountability.
The club was at the time in shambles and there were divided opinions about Uwayezu’s appointment. Some club cadres had even, from the very first minute, refused to back him given the situation the club was experiencing.
But the way the retired army captain brought stability back in the team from administrative to competitive to respective has earned him plaudits from many figures at the club. It opened doors to sponsors sign partnerships with the team again.
For him, it was important that he creates a good working environment in order to develop and ensure that the most popular club in the country has the basics to provide members of staff, coaches, and players with the resources they need in order to work at the level required.
With such an credentials, Uwayezu also stands in a firm position to run for Ferwafa top job.
Alphonse Munyantwali (Police FC)
Since Munyantwali was appointed as Police FC new chairman last week, reports started linking him, alongside APR Chairman Lt Gen Mubarak Muganga, to the FA top position although the latter quickly distanced himself from the possibility to lead the body, saying he needed to dedicate much of his time to his current responsibilities as the as RDF Army Chief of Staff.
Munyentwali, a former governor first of Southern Province and later Western, is not new in the world of football. He was the Mayor of Nyamagabe District when Amagaju FC got promoted in the top flight league in 2015.
During his office, the district was always supportive to the club until it got promoted to the topflight league.
In less than a week since he opened up on switching his leadership career to football when Police appointed him as new chairman, Munyantwali has been tipped to lead Ferwafa. So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he declares his candidature to run for the position.
Charles Nkuri Kakooza ‘KNC’ (Gasogi United)
It would not be the first time that the popular media owner and journalist is tipped to lead Ferwafa. Some thought he would contest for the office in 2021 against eventual election winner Nizeyimana, but the Gasogi United proprietor never showed interest.
In 2012, KNC started his business by selling solar energy equipment, before going on to launch Radio 1 Rwanda in the same year. He opened TV1 Rwanda in 2014 before venturing into football business two years later when he founded Gasogi United and it took the club four years to be promoted to the topflight league.
He would always say that his team can beat anyone which is something good for the sports industry especially for national teams and clubs which normally lack moral strength to perform well at the continental level.
KNC does not support unprofessionalism football and bribery tendencies, it may end up trigger confrontations outside or in the pitch in the future which make him good candidate for position.