Rwanda’s head coach, Frank Torsten Spittler, has expressed strong opposition to the ongoing push by top clubs to increase the number of foreign players allowed in the Rwandan Premier League. Currently, clubs are permitted to line six foreign players, but some club owners and administrators are pushing the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) to raise the numbers to eight. This proposal is expected to be decided upon before the close of the current transfer window today on August 30.
Spittler believes that expanding the foreign player will severely limit opportunities for Rwandan players, which goes against one of his primary objectives as the head coach of the national team.
“I don’t think it’s right; It will not enable us to raise quality talents here because Rwandan players will not get chance to play,” Spittler stated.
He emphasized that with clubs investing heavily in foreign players, it becomes difficult to bench them, leading to fewer chances for local players to gain valuable playing time and experience.
The German coach further highlighted that his expertise lies in players development, and the introduction of more foreign players could delay his mission to raise homegrown talent.
“One of the main reasons why I was brought here is to develop players. If clubs keep bringing in foreign players, then I am afraid that I am at the wrong place and I may advise myself to return home because soon there will be no talents left,” Spittler warned.
He expressed that the current trend could ultimately harm the future of Rwandan football, as fewer local players would have the opportunity to rise through the ranks.
Additionally, Spittler pointed out that many of the foreign players brought into the league are not necessarily better than the local talent already available.
“Most of the foreign players that some of clubs bring are not even better than local players,” he noted.
Spittler urged clubs to be more selective in their recruitment, suggesting that foreign players should only be brought in if they can offer something that local players can learn from and benefit the overall growth of the game in Rwanda.
As he gears up for the upcoming AFCON 2025 Qualifiers against Libya and Nigeria, Spittler remains focused on ensuring that Rwandan football continues to prioritize the development of its own players.
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