USL Championship: Rwanda star Kwizera continues hot start in Rhode Island FC win

Jojea Kwizera has three goals in five matches to begin the 2026 USL Championship season after scoring in Rhode Island FC’s dominant 4-0 victory over Charleston Battery on Wednesday evening.

A blistering counterattack for @RhodeIslandFC! ⚡️

Jojea Kwizera doubles the RIFC lead at home! 🏡 pic.twitter.com/TKrzmQr3Ls

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 23, 2026

The Rwandan international finished off a clinical counter-attack from the hosts in the 61st minute, doubling their lead after JJ Williams opened the scoring early in the second half.

Kwizera put in a strong 74-minute shift, with good work tracking back while adding pace and adventure to the right flank. Rhode Island now have back-to-back victories, giving them eight points from six matches in the early stages of the season in the American second division.

A key player in the USL Championship and for his national team

The 27-year-old is a late bloomer but is an important player for club and country. He was a regular sight for Rwanda during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, providing two goals from eight appearances during a strong campaign from Amavubi that came up short in the final stages.

Iki gitego Kwizera Jojea w’u Rwanda yatsinze Grenada ntikizaba icy’irushanwa?

🎥 @rbarwanda pic.twitter.com/EHIYDIMMxZ

— Oswald Oswakim (@oswaki) March 27, 2026

He also scored during Rwanda’s triumphant FIFA Series conquest in late March, tallying in Amavubi’s 4-0 defeat of Grenada before getting the start in a 2-0 victory over Estonia. Kwizera has three goals and two assists in seventeen appearances for Rwanda.

Born in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo near the country’s border with Rwanda, Kwizera moved to the United States where he played in the country’s university system with Utah State Eastern and Utah Valley before turning professional in 2022.

He spent two seasons with Major League Soccer club CF Montreal before joining Rhode Island FC in 2024, where he now has found his level with 7 goals and 7 assists in 62 USL Championship matches.