The Rwanda Premier League is the highest division of football in Rwanda. The league was formed in 1975. It was known as the Primus National Football League in 2004 and from 2009–10 to 2012–13,[1] after which sponsorship was taken over by Turbo King.[2] The league was renamed the Azam Rwanda Premier League for the 2015–16 season after Tanzanian television broadcasters Azam TV were announced as sponsors in a deal worth US$ 2.35 million covering five years.[3] From 2019/the 2020 season Azam TV announced the termination of its contract with Rwanda FA.
| Organising body | Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Rwandan Second Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | Rwandan Cup Rwandan Super Cup |
| International cup(s) | CAF Champions League CAF Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | APR (22st title) (2023–24) |
| Most championships | APR (21 titles) |
| TV partners | RTV Magic Sports TV StarTimes |
| Website | ferwafa.rw |
| Current: 2024–25 Rwanda Premier League | |
Clubs for the 2021–22 season
editÉtoile de l'Est and Gicumbi FC were promoted from the Second Division, while AS Muhanga and Sunrise FC were relegated from the Premier League
Previous champions
edit- 1969 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali)
- 1971 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali)
- 1975 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 1976–79 : unknown
- 1980 : Panthères Noires (Kigali)
- 1981 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 1982 : no championship
- 1983 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali)
- 1984 : Panthères Noires (Kigali)
- 1985 : Panthères Noires (Kigali)
- 1986 : Panthères Noires (Kigali)
- 1987 : Panthères Noires (Kigali)
- 1988 : Mukungwa (Ruhengeri)
- 1989 : Mukungwa (Ruhengeri)
- 1990–91 : no championship
- 1992 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali)
- 1993 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali)
- 1994–95 : APR (Kigali)
- 1996 : APR (Kigali)
- 1997 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 1998 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 1999 : APR (Kigali)
- 2000 : APR (Kigali)
- 2001 : APR (Kigali)
- 2002 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 2003 : APR (Kigali)
- 2004 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 2005 : APR (Kigali)
- 2006 : APR (Kigali)
- 2006–07 : APR (Kigali)
- 2007–08 : ATRACO (Kigali)
- 2008–09 : APR (Kigali)
- 2009–10 : APR (Kigali)
- 2010–11 : APR (Kigali)
- 2011–12 : APR (Kigali)
- 2012–13 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 2013–14 : APR (Kigali)
- 2014–15 : APR (Kigali)
- 2015–16 : APR (Kigali)
- 2016–17 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 2017–18 : APR (Kigali)
- 2018–19 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza)
- 2019–20 : APR (Kigali)
- 2020–21 : APR (Kigali)[4]
- 2021–22 : APR (Kigali)[5]
- 2022–23 : APR (Kigali)
- 2023–24 : APR (Kigali)
Performance by club
edit| Club | City | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | Kigali | 22 | 2024 |
| Rayon Sports | Nyanza | 9 | 2019 |
| Panthères Noires | Kigali | 5 | 1987 |
| Kiyovu Sports | Kigali | 6 | 1993 |
| Mukungwa | Ruhengeri | 2 | 1989 |
| ATRACO | Kigali | 1 | 2008 |
Top goalscorers
edit| Season | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 |  Luleuti Kyayuna |
APR | 9 |
| 2002 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2003 | Milly |
APR | 12 |
| 2004 |  Abed Mulenda |
Rayon Sports | 14 |
| Olivier Karekezi |
APR | ||
| 2005 | Jimmy Gatete |
APR | 13 |
| 2006 | André Lomami |
APR | 13 |
| 2006–07 |  Labama Bokota |
Rayon Sports | 14 |
| 2007–08 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2008–09 | Jean Lomami |
ATRACO | 12 |
| 2010-11 | Meddie Kagere |
Police | 16 |
| 2011–12 | Olivier Karekezi |
APR | 14 |
| 2014-15 | Isaie Songa |
APR | 14 |
| 2016-17 | Dany Usengimana |
Police | 19 |
| 2019–20 | Samson Babua |
Sunrise | 15 |
| 2022–23 |  Hussein Shabani |
Kigali | 14 |
| 2023-24 |  Ani Elijah
|
Bugesera | 15 |
| Victor Mbaoma
|
APR |
References
edit- ^ "The New Times | Rwanda".
- ^ "Turbo King to take over league sponsorship". newtimes.co.rw. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ "Azam TV to broadcast Rwanda's top tier league". Kawowo Sports. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "Rwanda - APR FC crowned league champions | CAFOnline.com".
- ^ "Rwanda - APR FC crowned league champions | www.ktpress.rw".
External links
edit- League overview at FIFA.com (archived 26 June 2007)
- Competition history at RSSSF