Stephen Constantine, the head coach of the Rwanda national football team, removed Fidali Uwiyaremye from the squad on Thursday, November 5. According to AllAfrica, the APR FC striker was sent back to his club after displaying what camp sources described as indiscipline during residential preparations for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Mali.
The forward reported to the FERWAFA Accommodation Facility, the team's residential base, significantly later than the midday deadline set by the coaching staff. AllAfrica notes that he arrived at approximately 1:50 p.m., missing the group meeting that had already concluded. Constantine initially handled the delay privately, but the situation escalated when the player arrived twenty minutes late to an evening practice session. The team was scheduled to train at 5 p.m., yet the forward, who was staying at the same complex, failed to meet the start time.
This dismissal follows a similar incident involving Kiyovu Sports player Keddy Nsanzimfura in September, who was reportedly excluded after failing a pre-camp drug test. Constantine had previously considered dropping Uwiyaremye during earlier qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde, though teammates intervened to keep him in the squad. The English manager is known for his strict approach to team discipline, a stance that has defined his tenure with the Amavubi.
AllAfrica reports that Uwiyaremye's agent is reportedly unhappy with the forward's current standing, though the dissatisfaction is directed at the player rather than the coach. Rayon Sports winger Daniel Muhoza is among the candidates being considered to replace the dismissed striker. Muhoza is currently training with the U-23 squad preparing for Olympic qualifiers against Cameroon, but he remains on Constantine's radar for potential promotion to the senior side.
Rwanda currently tops Group K with six points from two matches, the same record as their opponents, Mali. The national team will travel to Bamako for the first leg of the double-header on November 13, before hosting the West African side in Kigali on November 17. Constantine aims to preserve the team's momentum through these crucial fixtures.