Rwanda’s women’s football team head coach, Grace Nyinawumuntu, has been suspended by Rwanda’s Football Federation (FERWAFA) after making controversial comments about Ghana’s national women’s team, the Black Queens.
Grace Nyinawumuntu claimed her team had been intimidated by the Black Queens resulting in a 7-0 loss in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Kigali on Wednesday.
Her claims included implications that the Black Queens’ were women with male hormones.
She stated, “They have girls who we think have male hormones. They are girls who are like men. Our team was scared… when they got to the pitch, they conceded because they were scared.”
Her speech is considered unprofessional and therefore has been suspended until further notice by the the Rwanda’s football federation (FERWAFA).
However, in response to Grace’s comments, FERWAFA has issued a statement confirming her suspension “until further notice” citing her “inappropriate choice of diction she used after the game between Rwanda and Ghana.”
“The remarks made by the coach of the national women about the players of the Ghana national women’s team are in violation of the rules and values of football in Rwanda.”
“We remind members of FERWAFA to desist from such behaviour and remarks that are not aligned with the truth, have no factual basis and are not professional,” the FA added.
In 2017, Grace Nyinawumuntu was suspended as head coach of AS Kigali Women due to allegations of sexual harassment made by players.
She took AS Kigali Women’s team to the Court of Appeal for wrongful dismissal and won the case with the club being ordered to pay her $47,000 damages (44,000 euros).
Nyinawumuntu was once a player for the national team and was appointed coach of the national women’s football team in June this year.
Ghana’s Black Queens secured a convincing 7-0 victory over Rwanda in the first leg of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (WAFCON) at Kigali Pele Stadium. The Black Queens dominated the game, with goals from players including Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu, Priscilla Adubea, and others.
Rwanda will travel to Ghana for the second leg without their former coach, and the Black Queens will hope to secure a resounding victory.
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Story by: Asack Pius | univers.ug.edu.gh
