One programme making this possible is the Tony Football Excellence Program (TFEP). By providing structured training, mentorship, and exposure beyond Rwanda's borders, TFEP is helping promising players take the first steps toward professional football careers abroad.
Now in its third year, TFEP has prioritised building partnerships with international clubs, offering selected players the chance to gain experience by training with professional teams abroad.
This year, the programme facilitated an opportunity for two young Rwandan talents, Kwizera Fils Elysée, from Muyumbu Sector in Rwamagana District, and Sangwa Nabil Nassem, from Nyakabanda Sector in Kicukiro District, to train with Al Nasr FC in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The two players are set to spend ten days training with the club, an experience that remains rare for Rwandan children. Speaking to IGIHE, their families shared the journeys that led to this milestone.
Sangwa's journey to TFEP
Sangwa's mother, Iragena Ashoura, revealed that her son's sporting journey did not begin with football.
'I am not a big fan of football, I love karate,' Iragena said. 'When Sangwa was younger, I introduced him to karate at the age of five, six or seven. But when he turned eight, he developed an interest in football. I asked him what he wanted, and he told me he wanted to play football. That's when he joined Shining Academy in Kimironko.'
According to Iragena, it was Sangwa himself who discovered TFEP and took the initiative to apply.
'He is a very curious child who always looks for information. He was the one who told me about TFEP and even emailed Tony using my phone. They responded and called me to confirm where we lived and when the selection would take place in Kicukiro. That's how he went, and luckily, he succeeded. I am very proud that he achieved this largely on his own.'
Although she was initially concerned about her son leaving home at a young age, Iragena later came to appreciate TFEP's balance between football development and education.
'When they told me Tony operates in Musanze, I was hesitant. My son was still in primary school, and I did not like the idea of him being so far away. But after consulting friends and family, I realised it was for his own good. I saw him grow, both in football and academically; he scored 90 per cent. From then on, I fully supported him, wherever his journey may take him.'
Sangwa's determination to seize the opportunity
Now 13, Sangwa says he is determined to make the most of his training stint with Al Nasr and take another step towards his dream.
'My mother first introduced me to karate, but I always loved football because I admired Neymar Jr,' he said. 'The team I played for, Cercle Sportifs, could not take me very far, so one of my relatives helped me join Shining Academy.'
Reflecting on the opportunity in Dubai, Sangwa added, 'I plan to perform well, just as I did at Tony. They trusted me not only because of my skills, but because they believed in me. I will continue to give my best, and by God's will, when I return, more opportunities will come.'
Kwizera's passion for football
For Kwizera, football has been part of his life from an early age, shaped largely by his family environment. His father, Ndababonye Joël, is both a football fan and a coach.
'The first day I got a football was when my uncle brought one from Kigali,' Kwizera recalled. 'I played with my older brother, and at that time, my father was also playing football. We loved watching him. One day, he took me to where he coached, and I played with the under-13s.'
Kwizera narrated that his father later formed a football team, where he continued to develop before joining TFEP.
'I grew up in that team. Later, I did the trials for Tony Football Excellence Program, passed, and joined.'
Kwizera's father confirmed that he recognised his son's talent early, prompting him to create a platform for young players in their community.
'I founded Green Lovers Academy in 2018 in Muyumbu, Rwamagana, out of my love for football,' Ndababonye said. 'That's where Kwizera developed his skills and was later recognised by local coaches.'
Kwizera's mother, Mukeshimana Marie Rose, also believed in her son's potential, though she admits she worried about the physical risks involved.
'I always knew he would become a footballer,' she said. 'Both his father and I love football, and when I saw how committed he was, I told him that one day he would play professionally.'
'Of course, I worried about injuries. Sometimes he would come home hurt, asking for ointment. But despite those moments, I continued to support him.'
Kwizera's dream to go further
Kwizera says his ultimate goal is to surpass what his father was unable to achieve in football.
'I want to go far and keep improving,' he said. 'My father wanted to play at the highest level, but it did not work out for him. I am working hard to fulfil that dream. I believe that when I return from Dubai, even more opportunities will open up for me.'
IGIHE
