The Rwandan capital now has five women's teams and ten men's teams, with a clear ambition: to participate in the Women's Amputee Football World Cup scheduled for 2027.
For many players, the sport goes far beyond competition. This is the case of Nyiraneza Solange, a leg amputee since childhood, who explains that football allowed her to rebuild herself and fully accept herself. Today, she dreams of representing her country on the international stage. A discipline still little known to the general public, football for amputees is played by seven players, with crutches. Field players play with one leg, while goalkeepers have two legs but only one arm. A demanding format that requires technique, balance and determination.
In Rwanda, where there are an estimated 3,000 people with lower limb amputations, the sport plays a key role in social inclusion and mental well-being. It allows practitioners to regain self-confidence and create a true spirit of community.
Supervised by the World Federation of Amputee Football, this sport is now practiced in more than 50 countries. International initiatives also support its local development. Visiting Kigali, the coach of the Haitian women's team, Fred Sorrels, is helping to structure the discipline and support the players in their progress.
Rwanda was hoping to host the upcoming Women's Amputee World Cup, but only Poland and Brazil remain in the running to host the event. In the meantime, the Rwandan players continue their preparation, driven by a dream: that of shining on the international scene.
