FERWAFA names Stephen Constantine Amavubi head coach on two-year deal

Rwanda Football Federation has officially confirmed the appointment of Stephen Constantine as head coach of the Rwanda national football team and the Rwanda U-23 national team on a two-year renewable contract.

In a statement released by the federation, the decision was described as part of Rwanda’s broader commitment to strengthening football development and building a competitive national team capable of performing strongly on both the African and international stage.

Constantine will officially take up his duties on Monday, March 16, 2026, and immediately begin working with the existing technical staff and players as preparations begin for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament scheduled to take place later this month in Kigali.

Constantine is not new to Rwandan football. The experienced English coach previously managed Amavubi between 2014 and 2015, a period during which he helped rebuild the national team and introduced a more organized and disciplined playing structure.

During that time, Rwanda recorded notable results, including an impressive run in the qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations where the team defeated several strong opponents and briefly topped its qualification group.

His first spell with Amavubi was widely credited with restoring belief within the squad and improving Rwanda’s competitiveness on the continental stage.

Constantine emphasized defensive organization, tactical discipline and strong team unity, elements that allowed Rwanda to challenge more established African football nations.

Beyond Rwanda, Constantine has built a long international coaching career across several countries.

He has managed national teams including India national football team and Nepal national football team, where he played a major role in improving team rankings and building structured development programs.

During his time with India, he guided the team to a significant rise in the FIFA rankings and helped them qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

FERWAFA believes Constantine’s experience working with developing football nations makes him well suited to guide Rwanda’s current generation of players.

The federation has also highlighted his understanding of Rwandan football culture, which could help accelerate the team’s progress.

His responsibilities will extend beyond the senior national team to include oversight of the U-23 side, an important step in strengthening the pathway between youth football and the senior squad.

Developing young talent and creating continuity between age-group teams is expected to be a key part of his mandate.

The federation has indicated that more details about Constantine’s technical strategy, coaching staff and long-term plans will be revealed during an official press conference scheduled for next week.

As Rwanda prepares for upcoming international competitions, many supporters hope Constantine’s return will bring renewed stability and progress for Amavubi as the country continues its efforts to grow football at both national and international levels.