Rwanda head coach Stephen Constantine has laid down a fierce marker ahead of the upcoming international break, naming a 24-man squad for next month’s friendlies that prove reputation alone will no longer guarantee a shirt for the national team.
The “Wasp” are scheduled to pitch camp in Marrakech, Morocco, where they will test their mettle against Comoros on June 6 before squaring off against regional rivals Tanzania on June 9.
But while the fixtures themselves offer a vital mid-year tune-up, the real talking point is the squad sheet. In what is fast becoming his signature style, the English tactician has bypassed sentimental favorites in pursuit of a lean, physically relentless outfit capable of surviving the upcoming gauntlet of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The headline addition to the squad is 24-year-old winger Noam Fritz Emeran.
But while the fixtures themselves offer a vital mid-year tune-up, the real talking point is the squad sheet. In what is fast becoming his signature style, the English tactician has bypassed sentimental favorites in pursuit of a lean, physically relentless outfit capable of surviving the upcoming gauntlet of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The headline addition to the squad is 24-year-old winger Noam Fritz Emeran. Currently playing his football for Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen, Emeran brings a distinct European pedigree to Rwanda’s flanks. For local fans, his inclusion carries immense narrative weight; he is the son of former Amavubi icon Fritz Emeran Nkusi.
Yet Constantine isn’t just looking abroad for answers; he is actively rewarding domestic production. Kiyovu Sports’ breakout forward Fidali Uwiyaremye has forced the manager’s hand after a devastating campaign in the Rwanda Premier League, banging in 11 goals this season.
By handing the young striker his first senior call-up, Constantine has sent a crystal-clear message across the local top flight: if you score goals and dictate matches, the national setup will find room for you.
The most telling aspect of this roster, however, lies in who didn’t make the plane to Marrakech. While injuries account for the high-profile absences of twin brothers Joy-Lance Mickels, and Leroy-Jacques Mickels, as well as Thierry Manzi, Constantine was unapologetically transparent regarding his tactical omission of midfielder Hakim Sahabo.
“Hakim Sahabo has only played limited minutes for his club since March,” Constantine revealed bluntly. “From a physical standpoint, we felt he was not ready for this camp.”
Ruben Ngabo former journalist now Ferwafa media officer said that, both brothers were nursing injuries.
In international football, managers often carry out-of-form stars on reputation alone to maintain dressing-room harmony. Constantine is rejecting that philosophy entirely. Under his regime, club minutes and verified match-fitness are the baseline prerequisites for entry.
“This camp is about building connection and identity,” Constantine told FERWAFA media, reflecting on his vision for the program. “We had two positive results in the FIFA Series 2026, but I am still new in this role. I need the players to fully understand my philosophy because we are building a team that can perform consistently over time. This camp is an important opportunity to shape that identity.”
The Morocco camp for Rwanda represents the final laboratory for tactical experimentation before the high-stakes AFCON 2027 qualification campaign kicks off in September 2026. Amavubi face a grueling itinerary in Group K, drawn alongside heavyweights Mali, Cape Verde, and a dangerous Liberia side.
Because the qualifying matches are compressed into three rapid-fire FIFA windows between September and March 2027, Constantine knows he will have no time for basic drilling when the tournament begins. The structural foundations, the defensive pairings, and the high-pressing philosophy must be locked in next month in Marrakech.
