Kigali, August 30, 2025 – The Kigali Pele Stadium erupted with excitement on Saturday as the grand finale of the Gicanda Invitational 2025 crowned Rubavu district the national champions of Rwanda’s biggest grassroots girls’ football festival.
After four weeks of intense district-level competition, 25 teams representing 26 districts battled their way to Kigali, having emerged winners from over 58 grassroots football centres.
More than 1,200 young girls were involved in the tournament, highlighting the depth of talent and passion for football across Rwanda.
Each team that reached the national stage had already secured victory at the district level, earning 50,000 RWF and full logistical support.
The final in Kigali brought with it the ultimate prize: 250,000 RWF, a championship trophy, and the coveted title of Rwanda’s best U15 girls’ football team.
Rubavu took the crown after a tense final against Gicumbi, where the two sides drew 0-0 before Rubavu triumphed 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
The road to the final had been equally dramatic. In the quarter-finals, Karongi edged past Rusizi 1-0, Gicumbi defeated Ngoma 2-0, Musanze beat Muhanga 3-1, while Rubavu narrowly eliminated Nyanza 1-0.
The semi-finals saw Rubavu push past Musanze 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Gicumbi outclassed Karongi 2-0 to book their place in the showdown.
Aside from the fierce competition, the atmosphere turned into a national celebration of sport, culture, and community.
Leading Rwandan artists Kivumbi King, Deejay Pius, Alyn Sano, and Ariel Wayz lit up the stadium with performances that captured the festival spirit, showing how music and sport can unite to inspire a new generation.
“This tournament is about everything good in football: community, joy, excellence,” said Nikita Gicanda, founder of Local Champions Africa and producer of the Invitational. “When we invest in girls — whether they’re playing or returning as leaders and sport managers — we invest in the future of Rwanda’s economy, education, and national pride.”
The final also carried extra significance as news broke that Gicanda herself had been elected Commissioner of Women’s Soccer Development at FERWAFA. The appointment cemented her role not only as a trailblazer in grassroots football but also as a leader shaping the future of women’s soccer in Rwanda.
Reflecting on the day, Gicanda said: “Today was beautiful. From current premier league players stepping up as event managers, to girls from every corner of the country showing up with joy, discipline and pride — this is what happens when you combine kindness, commitment, and a real belief in football development. I was especially pleased by the FERWAFA President’s announcement that all cash prizes will be doubled — a strong signal of investment in the girls’ game. And with artists like Kivumbi King turning it into a true festival, it reminded us what sport can be when we do it with heart. We can’t wait to launch our Academy and bring the Invitational back even bigger next year.”
The Gicanda Invitational, produced by Nikita Gicanda, MXS Creative, and Cornwine Studios, with endorsement from the Ministry of Sports and in partnership with FERWAFA, continues to grow as a platform that celebrates girls in football while opening doors for leadership, education, and life skills development.
This year’s edition received backing from Inyange Industries, Zaria Court, Legacy Clinics, Goodlife Access, Isun, Kawa Coffee, FitnessPoint, Activ8, and Tuza Wellness, with hundreds of coaches, volunteers, and organisers working across districts to make it possible.
Entry to the event was free, drawing crowds who left with a sense that Rwanda’s girls’ football had taken a significant leap forward — with Rubavu crowned champions, Gicumbi narrowly missing glory, and Nikita Gicanda herself stepping into a new national role to guide the sport into the future.
This was a first of its kind ever organised. 
