Rwanda Summon Former Uganda U23 Winger

Ugandan-born midfielder Salim Abdallah has been summoned to the Rwanda Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Amavubi Stars.

Abdallah’s name appears amongst the 16 forwards in Rwanda’s 39-man provisional squad ahead of the forthcoming 2025 AFCON Qualifiers – a double header against Benin next month.

The 24-year-old player’s decision to switch to Rwanda comes after him previously representing Uganda in the under age (U-20 and U-23) categories.

Despite his young age, the former Uganda Hippos and Jobs player was such a big star for SC Villa in the Uganda Premier League (UPL).

Now playing for Musanze in the Rwanda Premier League, the versatile attacking midfielder had last played for URA in Uganda, in 2023, before he moved to the UAE.

In the 2025 AFCON Qualification phase, Rwanda is still unbeaten, and third on the Group D table, with two points from two games, having drawn with Nigeria (0-0) and Libya (1-1) respectively.

Nigeria is topping the Group with four points, and Benin is second with three points, after both nations beating Libya.

On matchday 3 and matchday 4 which will come just three days apart, Rwanda will visit Benin on October 11, before hosting the lm on October 15.

Only the two best placed teams (number 1 and 2) per group will earn a ticket to the next edition of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament.

In total, there are 48 teams, divided into four per each one of the 12 groups, challenging for the 24 spots to the 2025 AFCON to be played in Morrocco.