The Tears Behind the Pitch: The Unspoken Mental Struggles of Rwanda's Athletes

 By Uwineza Roger | Sports

On October 10, 2025, England international player Jude Bellingham spoke about athletes’ mental health struggles while speaking as a Laureus Ambassador for World Mental Health Day.

In his words Jude said that: “There’s still a stigma around talking about mental health.

I know there’s been times where I’ve felt vulnerable, doubted myself and needed someone to talk to.

The truth is that I do, everyone does.

You’ll feel a lot better from talking about your feelings and emotions.

That hate can be really tough for athletes.”

Question has risen in different Rwandan football supporters, “Do Rwandan ballers meet mental health struggles?”

Big number of people said yes and they come up with different reasons which leads to mental health issues.

Herve Gahunzire is a football support from UTB University and he has been a coach of school football team in Musanze district few years ago, when he was asked a question, Gahunzire shared his perspective.

“An athlete can experience mental health challenges because of the expectations they set for themselves, expectations they may never reach despite working hard. Sometimes, injuries or how they prepared for their career can also affect them. Remember, those ambitions to become an elite player don’t start at the professional level; they begin during development.

Rwandan players often become stars by accident, mostly because they get into good form for a short time, which brings them fame. When depression comes, it’s often because their success ended too early. But since our local league is still at a low level, it doesn’t really add much to an athlete’s long term growth,” Herve said.

Dylan Mugenga, Sports journalist at The New Times shared his opinion on this.

“Mental health issues for Rwandan athletes, especially footballers, are made worse by a negative culture of jealousy and witchcraft accusations, which pits players against each other.

Country's struggling football standards to deeper problems like match fixing, coach and players conflicts, and a lack of education among players, which holds them back from understanding the modern game.

Solution is that for things to truly improve, the mindset must change focusing on winning with honesty, giving young players a chance, and making sure they get an education.”

Players also shared their message on this, Jean Luck Kwizera, new signing of Sunrise Fc said that: “It’s mostly caused by the kind of life people grew up in. Another thing is that Rwandan football clubs pay players poorly, which makes them lose hope and live like crazy people haha( laughs).”

James Nkusi, Video Journalist at CNBC Africa  didn’t go far from the Kwizera’s perspective 

“Yeah man, players really go through serious mental health issues, but it’s all because of the poor financial situation of the clubs that don’t pay salaries on time. Basically, if they don’t pay you on time, like AS Kigali that went eight months without paying, honestly, I’d go crazy too, wallah.” James said.

Mental Health is a serious problem which is surrounding the world, and people are living with it.

For athletes you are advised to meet with counselors, but not only athletes.

We need football with smile inside and outside of the pitch.