Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rwanda head coach Adel Amrouche recently handed debut selection to three new players based in Europe as he hopes to add fresh blood to his team ahead of their international friendlies with Algeria on June 5 and June 9 in Constantine.
The three players, namely Claude Kayibanda, Aly-Enzo Hamon and Darryl Nkulikiyimana, have shown promising progress in their football careers as Algeria seems to be a timely yet challenging test for them to prove Amrouche before he decides who to select for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
Times Sport introduces to you the three players and what they might bring to the national team.
Claude Smith Kayibanda (Luton Town FC, England)
Born at Enfield, England, to Rwandan parents in 2006, Kayibanda joined Luton Town at the age of 12 from Focus Football Club and has progressed all the way to the U21 set up where he is the current club captain.
Aside from his natural defensive midfield role, Kayibanda can also operate as a center back.
He was instrumental in scoring 3 goals as Luton Town U21 reached the second round of the Premiership Cup for the first time this season.
Kayibanda is managed by Full Circle Sports Management which is also based in England.
Aly-Enzo Hamon (Angouleme CFC, France)
The young left-back was born on March 30, 2003 at Montereau-Fault-Yonne in the French city of Seine-et-Marne. He is of Rwandan and French heritage.
Hamon, 22, began his career in 2009 at the age of six with DBF Nantes. He spent four years at the club before joining USJA Carquefou where he played from 2013 to 2018.
Subsequent moves saw him signed by Guingamp where he featured in their youth team from 2018 to 2023. He left for FC Basel in Switzerland and spent two months before returning to France to sign for USSA Vertou.
French fourth tier side Angouleme CFC acquired him in July 2024.
On the international scene, Hamon is a former French youth player. He played 5 games for the U16s while he was also capped twice in the U17 team.
He had a fair 2024/25 season at Angouleme CFC playing 26 league games and providing 2 assists. He also made 2 appearances in the French Cup games.
Darryl Nkulikiyimana (FCV Dender EH, Belgium)
Nkulikiyimana was among a host of players courted by Rwanda FA when former president Olivier Mugabo Nizeyimana was in office.
Accompanied by then federation Secretary General Henry Muhire, Mugabo visited a number of players across different countries in Europe and Nkulikiyimana was no exception.
Born to Rwandan parents in Belgium on May 24, 2005, the center back joined FC Dender in 2023. He started playing in the team’s U21s before being promoted to the senior side in January 2025.
Standing at 1.82m, the 20-year-old guardsman is not only good in aerials but he is also efficient on the ground.
Being primarily a left footed player, Nkulikiyimana is also capable of operating as a left back.
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