Rayon Sports skipper Abdul Rwatubyaye is not new to courting transfer controversies. The talented centre back has over the years been at the centre of various sagas in his football career.
In 2013, the defender went AWOL in Nice, France when the Rwanda U20 team participated in a Francophonie competition.
Local football governing body (FERWAFA) at the time indicated that the former Isonga FC player stayed back when his colleagues were going out for a stroll and quickly vanished leaving his passport behind.
He returned to Rwanda a year later after being advised by his family on the consequences of escaping while on national duty.
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Rwatubyaye is a fine defender when he is in his prime. He possesses sheer strength and doesn't fear going in for the hard tackles.
After a not so successful spell in the United States with Kansas City and Colorado Rapids, he joined Macedonian champions FK Shkupi in January 2022.
He quickly established himself as a pillar in the club's defense and was named as best defender in the first half of the 2021/22 season before a serious heel injury during a mid-season training camp in Turkey ended his spell in Macedonia.
He stayed home for eight months with the injury and his contract had to be terminated, he moved back to Rwanda to join Rayon Sports in August 2022 when he fully recovered.
He guided Rayon to Peace Cup glory during the 2022/23 season. Both Simba and Yanga were interested in his services but the deal didn't go through and he had to stay with the Blues.
Rwatubyaye suffered various injuries since his Rayon Sports return. His recent injury was against Police FC in the semifinals of the Heroes Cup but only the defender knows whether he faked the injury or not.
He was given two weeks off for treatment and over the weekend he posted photos with a caption that he is back to Macedonia with his former club FC Shkupi.
Per FIFA rules, if a player has six month left on his contract, and shows no commitment to extend it, he is free to start negotiations with other teams. If Rwatubyaye is holding talks with FC Shkupi, he has done no wrong as he has five months left on his Rayon Sports contract.
Notwithstanding, he is at fault if he traveled to Macedonia without telling Rayon Sports officials because he is still under contract with the team. He is still their player.
Also as the captain of the club, the player should lead by example. This is the second time he has gone AWOL in his career and it creates a bad image for him. He is a leader and he should do the right things his teammates can proudly follow.
"He never handed in a transfer request, nor did we receive any offer from any team for the player. He is still our player.” Rayon Sports Secretary-General Patrick Namenye told Times Sport.
"We saw the photos [in Shkupi's colors] just like others. What we know is that he is working on his recovery, and we hope to have him back to action after two weeks."
From all indications, there is going to be a big tussle between Rwatubyaye and Rayon Sports in the coming weeks. We are in for another saga which won't end soon.
Rwatubyaye is becoming synonymous with the word "AWOL" and for only the wrong reasons.
There is still room for him to mend his ways and go the correct path.