Noam Emeran: ‘I Didn’t Want to Come Without Giving Something’

Noam Fritz Emeran is set to make his debut for Rwanda’s national team, the Amavubi, after waiting for what he considers the right moment to represent his country. The FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy player explained that his absence from the national team was not due to a lack of interest. Instead, he wanted to reach a level where he could contribute meaningfully to Rwanda. Speaking to the media at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) hotel on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Emeran said playing for Rwanda had been a childhood dream. “Since I was a child, I knew I would play for Rwanda because it i

Noam Fritz Emeran is set to make his debut for Rwanda’s national team, the Amavubi, after waiting for what he considers the right moment to represent his country. The FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy player explained that his absence from the national team was not due to a lack of interest. Instead, he wanted to reach a level where he could contribute meaningfully to Rwanda. Speaking to the media at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) hotel on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Emeran said playing for Rwanda had been a childhood dream. “Since I was a child, I knew I would play for Rwanda because it is my country and where I come from. My father also played for Rwanda. It was a dream,” he said. “I was looking at it and thinking that the time had not come yet. I wanted to wait until I was at a good level, so that when I played, I could give something to my country.” Born in Paray-le-Monial, France, in 2002, Emeran is the son of former Rwanda international Fritz Emeran and a Rwandan mother. He began his football development at FC Brussels before moving to France, where he played for L’Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien and later joined Amiens. His potential attracted Manchester United, who signed him in 2019. He spent time in the club’s academy before leaving in 2023. After most recently leaving FC Groningen in the Netherlands, Emeran joined Swiss side FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy. He is now expected to feature as Rwanda begins its 2027 AFCON qualification campaign against Liberia on September 25, followed by Cape Verde on September 29. For Emeran, the moment represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream: finally wearing the Amavubi shirt and contributing to his country.