Kirehe FC have appointed veteran trainer Hamiss ‘Kishi’ Sogonya as their new head coach following their promotion to the topflight division.

Kishi has signed a one-year-deal to replace Jean Louis ‘Fils’ Ndemeye, who was sacked despite helping the Kirehe district-sponsored side to national league for the first time since the club was formed four years ago.

Kirehe and Pepiniere replace AS Muhanga and Rwamagana City FC, who were relegated following a disappointing campaign for the two sides during the 2015/2016 season.

Kishi has been tasked to build a strong side that can survive beyond the debut season in the first division and attract more Nyakarambi fans to support their team.

"Kishi has the experience at this level and we hope he will be able to build a team that can compete with the big teams,” Kirehe FC club president, Celestin Habanabakize, told Times Sport.

"We have picked Kishi because of his knowledge and experience in football in Rwanda. He has previously coached big teams in Rwanda and we believe he will take Kirehe to another level,” he added.

Kishi started his coaching career in 1995 and he has coached teams like Espoir, SC Kiyovu, Les Citadins (now AS Kigali), Police FC, Flash FC, Etincelles and Amagaju.

Kishi, who won the Peace Cup title with Les Citadins in 2001, will get down to work next week as Kirehe FC begin pre-season training in preparation for the 2016/17 campaign that kicks off next month.

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