APR Football Club assistant coach Yves Rwasamanzi has tipped new signing Omar Ngando not only to be successful with the military side but also to go on to become one of the best defenders in the league.

The 20-year-old centre-back signed from Burundian side Athletico Olympique joined APR on a two-year contract until the end of the 2017/18 season.

Ngando didn’t get much game time in the East African Military Games as well as the just concluded ‘AS Kigali Pre-season Tournament’ always coming on as substitute for Faustin Usengimana.

But Rwasamanzi, who guided the reigning league champions to the pre-season tournament title after defeating DR Congo’s AS Vita Club 1-0 in the final, believes Ngando will bring competition and balance in central defence, where he will have to fight for a place along with Helve Rugwiro and Usengimana.

"He is a very skilled centre back, he is quick and strong with aerial balls and very good at game-reading but he needs to work hard because he is still young and has a lot of potential to succeed here and possibly become one of the best defenders in the league,” Rwasamanzi told Saturday Sport.

The former SC Koyivu head coach added, "He will need time to settle in the team, but I strongly believe he will be one of the best defenders in Rwanda after he settles in well and gels with his teammates on and off the field, which I think he’ll not find very difficult.”

Ngando is Rwandan but was born in the Burundian capital Bujumbura. He is a young brother to Mukura Victory Sports and Amavubi midfielder, Ally Niyonzimana.

APR players were given a week off after winning the pre-season tourney and will return on Monday to continue preparations ahead of the start of the national league on October 14.

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