FERWAFA PRESIDENT VISIT TO THE NATIONAL FLAG BEARERS IN BAYERN MUNCHEN YOUTH CUP

The FERWAFA President Mr. Munyantwali Alphonse has, this Wednesday morning visited children who represented Rwanda, in Bayern Munchen youth cup, which took place in Germany from 18th to 23rd of October and delivered a message of hope, joy and encouragement.

President Alphonse Munyantwali posing with the team.

He urged them to keep dreaming big, strive to make their incredible talents shine and concentrate on their studies, because a talent mixed with good education, discipline and determination will sharpen their skills and take them to the highest heights.

THE JOURNEY OF TEN CHILDREN WHO REPRESENTED RWANDA, FROM DEPARTURE TO LANDING BACK

From 18th to 22nd of October, The U16 team representing Rwanda under Bayern Munchen partnership with the Government of Rwanda through Visit Rwanda initiative, participated in the tournament known as Bayern Munchen Youth cup, organized by Bayern Munchen team, where a delegation was made of ten players Captained by Ishimwe Elie, the youngest of all), coaches, Government and federation Leaders hit the sky to Germany.

The participating countries were eight, namely, Argentina, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Germany, Ivory Cost, South Africa and Rwanda, where the first day of 18th October 2023 was the teams arrival and the training sessions for the participating team, Rwanda included. Team Rwanda was training from the pitch nearby Limmerhof Hotel which accommodated the team in Munchen.

On 19th October, Team Rwanda had its second training and in the evening participated in the draw of the group stages, where Rwanda drew Nigeria, USA and South Africa, in Group B, and after the draw stage, the night was concluded by intercultural gala night where countries had a chance to showcase their respective cultures and other social games.

The day of 20th was a very busy day for Team Rwanda which had three friendly matches, out of which two brought win and one a loss. Explicitly; Rwanda 1-0 India (by Ndayishimiye Barthazar), Rwanda 0-1 Mexico, and Rwanda 2-0 Germany (both scored by Ntwali Anselme). The game was played on a small pitch with  50mx70m size and seven players admitted on each side of the playing team on the pitch.

Saturday 21st October 2023, was the day where the tournament took place, and here we will focus on Rwanda group stage, where we performed as follow; Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria, Rwanda 0-1 South Africa and Rwanda 3-1 USA, scored by Hategekimana Abdouldhim, Ishimwe Elie the captain and Ndayishimiye Barthazar), and Rwanda qualified to play for the 5th place against Germany, where the game ended 0-0 draw, and Rwanda finally won on Penalty Kicks 3-1 shot by Ndayishimiye Barthazar, Sheja Djibrir and Ishimwe Elie.

After the tournament Rwanda’s two players were chosen among the tournament MVPs, namely; Ndayishimiye Barthazar from Tsinda Batsinde and Ishimwe Elie from Tsinda Batsinde FC who later on the next day played against Bayern Munchen U17 team and lost 4-1, where both Rwandans were on a starting eleven.

Team Ranking after the tournament;

1.       Nigeria

2.       South Africa

3.       Argentina

4.       Mexico

5.       Rwanda

6.       Germany

7.       USA

8.       India.

During his visit to the team, the Ambassador of Rwanda in Germany H.E Igor Cezar encouraged the lads to keep dreaming big and never shut their talent, but to do all that is possible to make it shine.

Also the Vice president of FERWAFA in charge of Technical matters Mr. Richard Mugisha said that the players have shown incredible and unmatched talents which left everyone speechless, he added that it is the responsibility of the federation to help these young talents flourish and with joint efforts these will be achieved.

Among other activities on the sideline of the Bayern Munchen youth competition, children had a chance to visit the official stadium of the Bayern Munchen senior team known as Allianz Arena.