Latif Bishira is certainly one of the most experienced defenders in the Primus National League. Only a few would beat him to the place. Just ask his coach Andre Casa Mbungo.
The AS Kigali skipper may be ruling the defense but it was not his favorite position during his early playing days. He wanted to establish himself as a great winger just like his Portuguese idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
But his childhood coaches could see potential in him to become a great defender instead.
" People may not know but I started as a winger,” says Bishira.
"I was really enjoying my position on the wings but maybe my coaches saw something different in me. They switched me to a centre back and I have excelled in the position ever since. I am enjoying playing in central defense," he told Weekend Sport.
You would be surprised to hear defender like Bishira mentioning Cristiano as the player that he looks up to looks up to. Many say names of world-class defender but Bishira is different.
"Cristiano remains my favorite player and even though I changed to defense. I like his charisma and how he plays," he said.
Early days
Bishira was born on February 22, 1996, in Rubavu, one of the areas renowned for producing talented players to the topflight league and outside the country.
His early football days started with boyhood town youth team Fantastic FC. He later got a chance to continue his development at SEC Academy, then defunct Isonga Academy in Kigali.
It was at Isonga when the then-winger was transformed into a defender. He attracted the attention of AS Kigali who eventually offered him first career contract on July 1, 2014.
ALSO READ: Bishira tips AS Kigali to end Premier League title jinx
‘Dream’ callup
Every player's dream is to represent his country at international football and Bishira is no exception. He played for Rwanda right from the U17 to the senior level where he earned his first national team callup in 2017.
" I think 2017 is the year I will savor because I earned my first call up at senior level under coach Antoine Hey. It was amazing," Bishira recalls.
Bishira posseses unique technical abilities which always make him stand out among his peers. His game reading, timing and leadership on the pitch saw him take over the armband at AS Kigali, succeeding Haruna Niyonzima who moved to Libya.
Bishira attributes his defensive experience to playing with elite and talented defensive partners like Kwitonda, Mossi Rurangwa and Soter Kayumba but most importantly, Ismael Nshutiyamagara as "Kodo" with who he said they built a ‘magnificent’ partnership.
"All my career, I have played with good defenders but playing with Kodo was an experience I will always cherish," he said.
We will bounce back!
Bishira’s AS Kigali, once an emerging third force in Rwandan football after APR and Rayon Sports, is now in tatters as they find themselves in the relegation zone of the Primus National League table.
The poor run follows club’s squad overhaul which saw them release the majority of their top players during the June 2023 transfer window as they decided to cut a new path.
Bishira admits his club does not deserve to be in the 15th position but he still hopes that the international break is an opportunity for the team regroup and get back to the top level.
" We can bounce back. Our main task remains to make AS Kigali a big club again in the country," he said.
His bet on Amavubi
Rwanda begins the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with two crucial fixtures against Zimbabwe on November 15 and South Africa six days later. Both games will take place at Huye Stadium.
The country may be regarded as underdogs considering their lowly ranking in the world and Bishira emphasized being paired in the same group Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Benin requires determination and hard work to overcome their threat before backing his country to prove their mettle on the big stage.
"Undoubtedly, the group is so though. This is the right time for us (Rwanda) to show all the world we can beat the big countries," he added