Rwanda’s women’s football team head coach, Grace Nyinawumuntu, has been suspended by Rwanda’s football federation (FERWAFA) following her controversial comments about Ghana’s national women’s team.
Nyinawumuntu made remarks after her team’s 7-0 loss to Ghana during a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Kigali last Wednesday. She claimed that the Ghanaian players appeared “like men” and attributed her team’s defeat to intimidation.
In response, FERWAFA released a statement on Twitter, announcing Nyinawumuntu’s suspension “until further notice.” They cited her “inappropriate choice of diction” and emphasized that her comments violated football rules and Rwandan values.
“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.”
During the match, Ghana’s Black Queens secured a convincing 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, and others.
The defeat came in her fifth game as Rwanda’s coach recording two losses and two draws in her first four matches.
The return fixture is scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, as the She-Amavubi continue to chase their dream of playing at the (WAFCON) for the first time in their history.