Elias Uzamukunda

Elias Uzamukunda (born 15 May 1991) is a Rwandan professional footballer who last played as a striker for Avoine OCC. In his home country of Rwanda, he is known as "Baby".[1]

Elias Uzamukunda
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-05-15) 15 May 1991
Place of birth Kigali, Rwanda
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2006–2007 AS Kigali
2007–2010 A.P.R.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Cannes 81 (20)
2014–2015 Andrézieux-Bouthéon FC 14 (2)
2015–2016 Le Mans 23 (2)
2016–2017 Avoine OCC 12 (1)
Total 130 (25)
National team
2009–2010 Rwanda U20
2006–2016 Rwanda 15 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

Uzamukunda was born in Kigali, Rwanda. He became known for his performance at the 2009 African Youth Championship, which led to interest from French professional club Nantes. Uzamukunda joined the club on a trial basis and played on the club's reserve team, however, he was not signed.[2] Prior to that, he played for AS Kigali and A.P.R. in his home country. In January 2010, he trialled with French third-tier club Cannes and was subsequently signed the same month.[3]

Cannes

Uzamukunda made his debut for Cannes on 7 May 2010 in a league match against Troyes appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 defeat.[4] The following season, he scored his first goal for the club on 9 November against Créteil after appearing as a substitute 15 minutes prior. As a result of his goal, Cannes won the match 1–0.[1][5]

International career

Uzamukunda previously played for Rwanda at under-20 level playing with the team at the 2009 African Youth Championship. The competition was played on home soil as Rwanda failed to progress out of the group stage. Uzamukunda scored his only goal in the competition in the team's opening 2–1 win over Mali.

Uzamukunda made his full international in debut in 2006 and scored his first senior goal in the 2–1 quarter-final win over Tanzania at the 2006 CECAFA Cup.[6] In 2008, the young striker appeared on the bench in several qualification matches with the senior team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup under manager Branko Tucak, but failed to make any appearances. Uzamukunda failed to make any appearances with the team in 2010, despite being called up for several matches.[7][8]

International goals
Scores and results list Rwanda's goal tally first.[9]
List of international goals scored by Elias Uzamukunda
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.13 December 2007National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Djibouti5–09–02007 CECAFA Cup
2.26 March 2011Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali, Rwanda Burundi2–13–12012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3.11 November 2011Cicero Stadium, Asmara, Eritrea Eritrea1–11–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.14 November 2012Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda Namibia2–02–2Friendly

References
  1. "Baby scores on AS Cannes debut". The New Times. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  2. "Why Has APR Ignored Uzamukunda?". All Africa. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  3. "Rising striker Uzamukunda joins French side AS Cannes". African Soccer Union. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  4. "Cannes - Troyes 0–0" (in French). Foot-National. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  5. "Cannes - Creteil 1–0" (in French). Foot-National. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  6. "Zambia, Rwanda through to CECAFA Semis". KenyaFootball.com. 6 December 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  7. "Le pro Elias Uzamukunda ne jouera pas contre le Malawi" (in French). Orinfor. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  8. "Tetteh rules out professionals for Benin game". CAF Online. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  9. "Uzamukunda, Elias". National Football Teams. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
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