At the ongoing CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, two women from Rwanda have not just stuck as a pair, they’ve added layers of allure and feel that is striking. Twins Aline Umutoni and Alice Umutesi are living the dream and mirror intentional synergy, strength and sisterhood. In the quiet valleys and green hills of Rwanda, where resilience echoes in every breath and every heartbeat tells a story of rebirth, these two sisters have risen. Theirs is a tale of storied grace, grit and glory. Their dominance is not merely reflections of each other, but as beacons of hope.
Aline and Alice are not just twins by birth, but twin flames in the world of African Football officiating, dominating a sport that few decades ago was a no-go-area for women. Their journey began on familiar fields, laced with childhood dreams and teenage tenacity. “I remember when we were just in Germany with the national team,” Aline recalls, her voice a nostalgic brushstroke on the canvas of memory. What was once a playground became a proving ground; what started as a love for the game transformed into a deep vocation to interpret, protect, and elevate it. Their roles are distinct yet complementary, Aline, the central referee, presiding with poised authority; Alice, the assistant referee, scanning every inch of the pitch with an eagle eye and unwavering discipline. “Yes, our styles are different,” Alice affirms. “She’s in the center. I’m on the flank. But we move with the same heart.” The two have always shared more than just DNA. Their journey into football officiating wasn’t just a career choice, it was a reflection of their bond. “Because we are real twins, if she likes something, I have to like it too. It’s mandatory,” said Aline, with a laugh that punctuates their sibling dynamic. But sharing the same ambition also required compromise. Initially, both trained as central referees until their Coach Mbake offered them advice that would later prove useful. “He told us, ‘Alice, if you stay as a referee, and Aline also stays as a referee, it’s as if you are competing,’” Alice recalled. “So, we decided Aline would stay as central referee, and I’d work as an assistant.” That decision wasn’t just practical; it aligned with their personalities. “I chose to be the central referee because I’m bossy. Secondly, I’m responsible. I like to make decisions,” said Aline. Alice quickly adds, “But you're a little shy”, to which Aline replied: “I’m not shy on the pitch.” The pair add that given the nature of football, they’ve had to make room for critcism as that was the only way they could grow. “Of course, we criticize each other,” Alice admits “That’s how we grow. That’s how we get better.” Aline agrees, unapologetically candid: “We tell each other the truth. And when the truth brings change, we embrace it. Then life goes on…If you work according to the law,” Alice says firmly, “you stay strong and keep working. That’s it. Her mistakes are my mistakes,” said Alice. “So, if she makes mistakes, I have to criticize her to correct her next time. It’s for our own good.” Aline nodded in agreement. The two carry Rwanda proudly on their shoulders, not as a cross to bear, but as a beautiful badge of honour. As the only set of twin referees in a major continental tournament in recent memory, they represent a profound national and symbolic significance. “It’s good when you represent your country,” said Aline. “So, we’re very proud to represent Rwanda. To represent your country as twins,” Alice says, “is a pleasure. We are very, very proud.” And they’ve earned that pride. Aline's greatest moment? Standing tall at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, officiating a match between Botswana and Nigeria. “So much was going on,” she reflects. “But we managed. And I was very happy.” But behind the polished boots and sharp whistles is a story of transition and transformation. Before refereeing, they were players. And when their days with the ball at their feet began to fade, they chose not to walk away but to launch deeper into football – a love affair that is unwavering. “In life, you must have a goal,” Aline explains. “Ours was to stay in football. So we trained, we committed. And now, we are here. At first, we just had the goal to work, to get far, to stay in the field of sport. That’s why we worked a lot, we did a lot of training. And here we are today,” Alice re-echoed Aline’s thoughts. Off the pitch, their personalities blossom in simpler expressions. On a good day, when the whistles are silent and the pressure momentarily subsides, their sense of fashion is evident; the pair love dresses, the flowing and elegant type that allows them to be as expressive as they can. “From the top down,” Alice says, “it’s about what one wants to have. But there are times when I choose a dress, she says, no, I’m going to wear a jacket. No, I say no, Aline. Today, it’s a dress.” Their unique pairing often means they are assigned to matches together, something both find comforting and empowering. “That’s the advantage for us,” Alice said. “We play the same matches, we travel together.” To young girls who believe the field belongs only to men, Alice has this to say: “Refereeing is not only for men. We are women, and we are here. You can earn a living. You can buy a house. You can help orphans. You can do everything. The field is yours. For us, refereeing is life.” As they take to the field over the course of the WAFCON and beyond, they represent the unique African woman’s trait of tenacity and sheer determination. Rwandan Pride. Aline and Alice.
