AFTER WINNING HIS FIRST MATCH SINCE RETURNING TO AS KIGALI WFC, FOLLOWING HIS DISMISSAL, AND REJOINING THE CLUB’S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WHILE THE TEAM IS STRUGGLING, HERE ARE THE REMARKS MADE BY AS KIGALI WFC HEAD COACH MUKARANGE THÉOGÈNE.
AS Kigali WFC defeat INYEMERA WFC in a match marked by outstanding goalkeeping performance
In a league match played today, AS Kigali WFC hosted INYEMERA WFC in a game full of intensity and strong competition from both sides. The match ended with AS Kigali WFC securing a narrow 1–0 victory, a goal that came after a very tough contest for both teams.
Although AS Kigali WFC claimed all three points, INYEMERA WFC displayed an impressive performance, creating many chances in front of goal. However, they were stopped by the exceptional brilliance of AS Kigali WFC’s goalkeeper, who made several crucial and high-quality saves, rescuing her team in difficult moments. This performance made her one of the standout players of the match.
What the teams need to do in the remaining matches
Following this victory, AS Kigali WFC has an opportunity to rebuild confidence and momentum in the remaining league fixtures. The team needs to continue strengthening its solid defense while improving its attacking efficiency to score more goals and compete for higher positions on the table.
On the other hand, despite failing to secure points, INYEMERA WFC proved that it is a capable and competitive team. If it maintains the same level of performance and improves its finishing in front of goal, it can perform well in the remaining matches and challenge stronger teams in the league.
This match showed that the women’s league remains highly competitive, and fans of women’s football should continue following it with great enthusiasm ⚽🔥
This match demonstrated that AS Kigali WFC continues to build itself as a defensively resilient team, largely thanks to the exceptional skills of goalkeeper UWAMAHORO Diane, who was a true pillar at the back. On the other side, INYEMERA WFC showed that it has the ability to compete against top teams, although it still needs to improve how it converts chances into goals. With continued adjustments, both teams have the potential to make significant progress in the remaining fixtures.
After the match, we spoke with some players and the head coach of AS Kigali WFC.
Statements from AS Kigali WFC head coach Mukarange Théogène after the match
“After returning to the AS Kigali Women Football Club bench as part of a youth development project, coach Mukarange Théogène expressed confidence following his first league victory. This win came at a time when the team is going through a difficult period marked by poor results and financial challenges inherited from previous years.
Mukarange first thanked God for the important three points, noting that the match was far from easy and required much more effort compared to previous games they had lost.
> ‘I thank God for giving us the opportunity to earn these three points. This match was not easy at all; it required a lot of effort, and it was different from the previous matches we lost,’ Mukarange said."
A team built on young and inexperienced players
Coach Mukarange explained that one of the major challenges AS Kigali WFC faces is that most of its players are young and new, many of whom are playing in the league for the first time this season.
> ‘When a team is new and players are young and inexperienced, it requires patience, resilience, and gradual correction. Things do not fall into place immediately,’ he said.
He added that despite losing several early matches, the players are gradually adapting to the league’s level, showing positive improvement “day by day.”
Financial challenges: a burden from previous years
Regarding the financial difficulties that have surrounded AS Kigali WFC, Mukarange clarified that these issues did not start with the current management but date back several years.
> ‘The financial problems did not begin this season or last season. They go back two years. The current leadership is new and inherited debts and unpaid dues of former players,’ he explained.
He also emphasized that current players are not affected by salary delays, as no player has gone unpaid either last season or this season.
Reduced capacity to sign new players
These financial challenges have affected the club’s ability to sign new players at the level it once did. Mukarange stated that some former players left the team due to these issues, but he praised the current management for its patience and for choosing to focus on building the future by developing young players.
> ‘I appreciate the current management because they understand the problem and remain patient. We chose to work with young players so they can grow and compete at this level. Even though it is difficult now, it gives hope for the future of AS Kigali WFC,’ she said'
The women’s league has reached a high level
Coach Mukarange also spoke about the overall level of the women’s league, noting that there are no longer “small” or weak teams as in previous years.
> ‘Women’s football has now reached a very good level. Any team can beat another. It is no longer like before when a team could score ten goals easily. Now it is a strong and exciting competition,’ he said.
He added that even teams at the bottom of the table play differently, making the league tougher and more educational for both coaches and players.
Confidence heading into the second round (Phase Retour)
Despite the difficulties AS Kigali WFC faced in the first round, Mukarange said he learned many lessons and is confident about competing strongly in the second round.
> ‘I am confident that we will not lose almost all our matches in the return phase. The players are gaining experience, adapting to the level, and we will show better performances,’ he assured.
He explained that teams that heavily defeated them in the first round served as learning experiences, and that AS Kigali WFC is gradually improving both tactically and mentally.
Will AS Kigali WFC remain in the top division or be relegated?
As fans continue to wonder whether AS Kigali WFC will survive in the first division or be relegated, Mukarange Théogène’s words suggest cautious optimism, even though the journey remains long.
If the management continues to be patient and young players keep gaining experience, AS Kigali WFC can gradually rebuild and finish the season safely in the top division, allowing the long-term development project to continue.
Remarks from AS Kigali WFC captain Kayitesi Alodie
> ‘It was a very intense match, and we were highly motivated to win. We did not want to end the first round with only three points. AS Kigali WFC is a historic club, a former champion of the country for many years, so finishing poorly would have been shameful. In football, there are no surprises you win today and lose tomorrow. We thank our management for always standing by us."
Remarks from INYEMERA WFC player Irumva Deliphina
> *‘The match was very intense. Honestly, we were the better team, but due to missed chances, football can be cruel. You can dominate and fail to score, while the opponent gets one chance and scores. We were very disappointed, but we are not discouraged. As players, we must work harder, especially since the return match will be played at our home. We are fully prepared and do not want to lose again.
To fans of men’s and especially women’s football, I ask for your support. Help us improve where we are lacking, because we women players are talented and deserve encouragement."
Performance of both teams in the nine matches played so far
AS Kigali WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–0 Forever WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–0 Kamonyi WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–1 Macuba WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–1 Bugesera WFC
AS Kigali WFC 1–1 APR WFC
AS Kigali WFC 2–6 Police WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–8 Rayon Sports WFC
AS Kigali WFC 2–3 Indahangarwa WFC
AS Kigali WFC 0–3 Muhazi United WFC
AS Kigali WFC 1–0 Inyenyeri WFC
INYEMERA WFC
Inyemera WFC 0–8 Rayon Sports WFC
Inyemera WFC 0–1 Indahangarwa WFC
Inyemera WFC 6–2 Muhazi WFC
Inyemera WFC 0–2 APR WFC
Inyemera WFC 2–0 Nyagatare WFC
Inyemera WFC 3–0 Forever WFC
Inyemera WFC 4–1 Kamonyi WFC
Inyemera WFC 1–2 Macuba WFC
Inyemera WFC 2–0 Bugesera WFC
Inyenyeri WFC 0–1 AS Kigali WFC
Written by: Migisha Janviére
