Kwizera will join Rwanda for pair of AFCON qualifying games
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Nov. 2, 2026) – Rhode Island FC announced today that midfielder Jojea Kwizera has been called up to the Rwanda Football Federation Men’s National team for the upcoming November FIFA international window. Kwizera receives his club-leading twelfth international call-up, and will feature in a pair of qualifying games for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations vs. Mali on Nov. 12 and Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. ET.
Kwizera has made 15 starts in 20 career appearances for The Wasps, scoring three goals and logging two assists in 1,145 minutes across all competitions. The 26-year-old midfielder most recently made a pair of appearances against Liberia and Cabo Verde to open its AFCON qualifying campaign in September, including a start in Rwanda’s 3-1 win over Liberia that helped The Wasps secure a perfect 2W-0L start atop Group K. Kwizera will join Rwanda for a pair of critical games vs. Mali, who sit just behind Rwanda with an identical 2W-0L record.
“We are extremely proud of Jojea’s success with the Rwandan National Team and are looking forward to watching him represent our club on the international stage,” said Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith. “We wish Jojea the best of luck in the upcoming window as he gains valuable experience in a continental competition.”
Prior to the beginning of AFCON qualifying, the 26-year-old midfielder made a pair of starts against Grenada and Estonia that led Rwanda to the 2026 FIFA Series trophy, scoring a goal and adding an assist in the nation’s 4-0 win over Grenada on March 27. During Rwanda’s 2026 World Cup Qualifying campaign, Kwizera was a regular in The Wasps’ squad, making six starts in eight Confederation of African Football (CAF) Group Stage appearances and scoring two goals.
Kwizera signed with Rhode Island FC on Jan. 4, 2024, and has been a critical piece of a squad that clinched three-straight playoff berths in its first three seasons. The midfielder has logged 7,114 minutes and ranks fifth all-time with 95 career appearances for the Ocean State club across all competitions, logging 12 goals and 12 assists.
Kwizera finished the 2026 season as RIFC’s active leading scorer with seven goals, scoring the opening goal in RIFC’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal at Charleston Battery on Oct. 30. He logged his 12th career assist for the club one week prior, creating the opening goal in RIFC’s regular-season finale at Hartford Athletic. His 12 career assists rank third in club history.
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