Rwandan football is embroiled in a debate regarding foreign player quotas, with the national governing body, FERWAFA, and the Rwanda Premier League (RPL) at odds over increasing the permissible number of overseas players on the field in the 2024-2025 season.
Reports indicate that, the league (RPL) is pushing for a significant hike in the current limit. Their proposal seeks to raise the number of foreign players allowed to start a match from six to eight, with an additional three on the substitute bench. This policy change appears to be influenced by the approach taken in the Tanzanian league.
However, FERWAFA’s executive committee is expressing reservations about such a drastic increase. Sources suggest the committee prioritizes nurturing Rwandan domestic talent and is wary of allowing a situation where 11 foreign players could potentially be on the field at once.
The current disagreement is part of a recent trend of rising foreign player quotas in the Rwandan league. The limit was raised from three to five players in the 2021-2022 season and further increased to six last season.
FERWAFA President Munyantwari Alphonse, speaking at a press conference after the general assembly, acknowledged the ongoing debate. He pointed out that even the current limit of six starters wasn’t definitively established by the General Assembly, hinting at the possibility of the issue being revisited in the future.
The outcome of this clash between FERWAFA and the RPL remains to be seen. The decision will likely have a significant impact on the league’s dynamics, potentially influencing playing styles, team strategies, and Rwandan player development opportunities.
