Rwanda’s women’s football team head coach, Grace Nyinawumuntu, has faced suspension from Rwanda’s football federation (FERWAFA) in the wake of her contentious remarks regarding Ghana’s national women’s team.
Nyinawumuntu’s comments came in the aftermath of her team’s 7-0 defeat to Ghana during a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier held in Kigali. She sparked controversy by suggesting that the Ghanaian players resembled “men” and insinuating that her team’s loss was due to intimidation.
FERWAFA took swift action, announcing Nyinawumuntu’s suspension “until further notice” via a Twitter statement. They cited her “inappropriate choice of diction” and emphasized that her remarks not only contravened football regulations but also went against Rwandan values.
The statement from FERWAFA read, “The remarks made by the coach of the national women about the players of the Ghana national women’s team are in violation of the rules and values of football in Rwanda. We remind members of Ferwafa to desist from behaviour and remarks that are not aligned with the truth, have no factual basis and are not professional.”
In the match itself, Ghana’s Black Queens delivered a commanding 7-0 victory over Rwanda in the first leg of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (WAFCON) at Kigali Pele Stadium. The Black Queens dominated the game, with goals scored by players like Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu, Priscilla Adubea, among others.
This loss marked Nyinawumuntu’s fifth game as Rwanda’s coach, with two losses and two draws in her first four matches. The return fixture is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, as the She-Amavubi continue their pursuit of a historic qualification for the WAFCON tournament.
