KEY POINTS
- The Rwanda Football Federation named Englishman Stephen Constantine as the new national team head coach.
- Constantine returns for a second spell on a two-year contract following his previous stint in 2014.
- The veteran manager will also oversee the Rwanda Under-23 squad during his new appointment.
The Rwanda Football Federation officially announced the return of Stephen Constantine as the head coach of the national team. This appointment marks the second time the English manager will lead the Amavubi. He previously held the position for a brief but successful eight-month period starting in May 2014.
Constantine has signed a two-year renewable contract with the East African nation. His role extends beyond the senior men’s team to include the Under-23 national squad. The federation expressed strong confidence in his technical expertise and leadership abilities for this dual responsibility.
The 63-year-old coach brings a wealth of international experience back to Kigali. He has managed several national teams across Asia and Africa throughout his long career. His past work includes two separate stints with India, along with coaching roles in Nepal, Malawi, Sudan, and Pakistan.
During his first tenure with Rwanda, Constantine achieved significant milestones. He famously guided the team to its highest-ever position of 64th in the FIFA world rankings. That historic period remains a benchmark for success within Rwandan football circles.
Constantine is scheduled to begin his new duties officially on Monday, March 16. His immediate priority involves preparing the squad for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament. This event will take place later this month in the capital city of Kigali.
The new manager will evaluate the existing talent pool to build a competitive roster. Rwanda is scheduled to face Grenada on March 27 as part of the invitational series. A second fixture against either Kenya or Estonia will follow three days later.
The federation highlighted that this appointment reflects a commitment to strengthening national football structures. They hope Constantine can replicate his previous success and help the team achieve continental excellence. Supporters and local officials have been urged to unite behind the new coaching regime.
Constantine arrives after recently managing the Pakistan national team from 2023 until earlier this year. He replaces Adel Amrouche, who departed the role in January. The veteran coach is expected to share further strategic plans during an official press conference next week.
