By Ben Kwizera
One of Rwanda’s most accomplished defenders, Abdoul Rwatubyaye, has officially parted ways with Macedonian Premier League club Brera Strumica F.C. due to the club’s ongoing financial struggles. The 28-year-old Amavubi Stars defender announced his departure in the early hours of Wednesday, citing the club’s inability to fulfill his contract.
Rwatubyaye joined Brera Strumica F.C. just nine months ago after leaving Shkupi F.C. However, the club’s financial instability led him to terminate his contract prematurely. His departure marks another chapter in a career that has seen him play in different leagues across the world.
Rwatubyaye’s football journey began at a young age, earning him a place at FERWAFA Academy in 2009 when he was just 15 years old. Three years later, he moved to Isonga F.C., a club mainly composed of Rwanda’s U-17 players who had participated in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
In 2013, he joined APR F.C. at a time when the club was implementing a policy of relying solely on young Rwandan talents. After three seasons with APR, he made a surprising and dramatic move to their arch-rivals, Rayon Sports. At Rayon Sports, he played a crucial role in the club’s historic CAF Confederation Cup campaign, helping them become the first Rwandan club to reach the quarter-finals of a continental competition.
In 2019, Rwatubyaye left Rayon Sports to join Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer (MLS), one of the top-ranked clubs in the United States. A year later, he moved to Colorado Rapids before making the switch to the Macedonian Premier League, where he played for Shkupi F.C.
In 2022, he returned to Rayon Sports, where he was entrusted with the captain’s armband. He led the club for two seasons before making the move to Brera Strumica F.C.
Throughout his career, Rwatubyaye has earned 33 caps for the Rwandan national team, scoring three goals. He is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in Rwandan football history. His playing style is characterized by acrobatic tackles, precise clearances, aerial dominance, and an ability to convert set-piece opportunities.
As he looks forward to the next phase of his career, Rwatubyaye remains a respected figure in Rwandan football, with fans eager to see where he will land next. His departure from Brera Strumica marks another challenge in his professional journey, but with his experience and talent, the future remains bright for the Rwandan star.