APR assistant coach Vincent Mashami and goalkeeping trainer Ibrahim Mugisha are set to take up permanent jobs with the national football team and will leave the army side after their season opener against Etincelles in Rubavu today.

 The coaching pair has reached an agreement with the APR executive committee as well as Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) led by president Vincent Nzamwita after several meetings on Thursday.

 Close sources to Saturday Sport confirmed the development and revealed that the duo has signed two-year contracts.

 "It is a done deal. Mashami and Mugisha will work with head coach Johnny McKinstry on a full time basis from next week,” said the source that preferred to remain anonymous.

 An office room has already been prepared for them at the FERWAFA headquarters where they will work closely with McKinstry as they continue to prepare for the upcoming 2016 African Nations Championship that will be held from January 16-February 7 in Rwanda.

 Rwanda will also be involved in the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Libya next month and will immediately start preparing for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in November.

 Meanwhile, Sunrise FC head coach Jimmy Mulisa will also work with the trio on consultation basis as the second assistant coach who will also be in charge of motivating the players.

 Mulisa, who was brought on board for a weeklong training by McKinstry as the locally based Amavubi players prepared for the friendly game against South Africa U-23 in July, played a crucial role in motivating players and passing on knowledge from firsthand experience.

 The former APR forward made 37 appearances for the Amavubi and played professional football across Europe and Asia for 11 years. 

Suljagic quits APR

News of the duo’s departure came on the same day Dusan Dule Suljagic resigned as head coach of the reigning Rwandan league champions APR after six months in charge. The Serbian tactician left the country without informing his bosses about his departure.

Suljagic became the second APR coach to quit without informing his bosses beforehand after his fellow country-mate Ljubomir Petrovic who brought him on board last year left unannounced in February.

Suljagic led APR to their 15th league title before falling to Police FC in the Peace Cup semifinals following a 1-0 away victory, as they played out a goalless draw in the return leg.