Rachid Kalisa has had a fantastic start to life at AS Kigali since his signing from local rivals SC Kiyovu last month. He was fantastic last week as the Rwandan side stunned Tanzania’s KMC to reach the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup.

The midfielder scored the opening goal and set up Eric Nsabimana for the second during AS Kigali’s 2-1 away victory at the 60,000-seater Tanzania National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The two sides had played a goalless stalemate in the first-leg in Kigali.

Having last played for the national team in 2017, Kalisa insists that he is working hard for a call-up in Amavubi again following his recent omission in the team that faces Seychelles in World Cup qualifiers next week.

Rachid Kalisa (#22) has not featured for the national team 'Amavubi' since 2017. /Courtesy

Despite his inconsistency and off-field antics, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in local football.

His astonishing talent was clear from an early age, and it is that football passion that led him to SEC Academy – in the second division league in 2012, at the age of 15.

In his first season with SEC, Kalisa stood out as he helped the team to semi-finals of the playoffs for a spot in the topflight league.

Like all those around him during his academy days, Kalisa dreamed of one day becoming a football star.

The Kicukiro-based sports centre has played an important role in Rwanda’s football. From Salomon Nirisarike to Kalisa and Thierry Manzi to Djabel Manishimwe, SEC Academy was a gateway to their stardom and all went on to represent the country in various international competitions.

In today’s issue, Saturday Sport looks at Rachid Kalisa’s meteoric rise to becoming one of the finest midfielders in the country.

Early life

Born on June 16, 1996 in Kacyiru, Kigali, Kalisa is the fifth child from a family of eight – five girls and three boys. At home, he is commonly referred to as ‘footballer of the family’.

"I was obsessed with football since my childhood.”

Unlike some parents, Kalisa says, his parents – Moustafa Kalisa and Amina Mukayiranga – never tried to stop or discourage him from doing what he loved the most – playing football.

"My parents supported my football dream in whichever ways they could. They believed in me and my talent. I don’t think I would be the player I am today without their support.”

The midfield sensation is a also diehard fan of Manchester United and France national team.

Prior to joining SEC, Kalisa was enrolled to Imena Academy – coached by Jean de Dieu Mateso – for six years, but also featured for his schools in youth competitions. As interim coach, Mateso guided AS Kigali to their third Peace Cup title in July.

After one year at SEC, he crossed to Isonga – another second tier side – and inspired them to promotion in the topflight football for the 2013/2014 season.

Senior career

A few days after his stellar season, many teams came knocking with enticing offers, which made it impossible for Isonga to keep their biggest asset. For him, it was just a matter of choosing his next destination.

After holding talks with different teams, Kalisa finally decided to join Police on a two-year deal and immediately helped the law enforcers to win the preseason tournament after beating Etincelles 2-1 in the final.

The quick-fleet midfielder, then aged 18, did not take long to adapt as he instantly earned a regular place in the starting line-up, powering the club to their first major title – the 2015 Peace Cup, the 2015 Agaciro Cup title, and a third position in the league.

In the 2015/2016 campaign, Police lost some of their best players mid the season, including skipper Jacques Tuyisenge, as they finished in a disappointing fifth place.

But thanks to his imposing performance with the national team in the African Nations Championships(CHAN) tournament in early 2016, where the hosts Rwanda reached the quarter-finals, Kalisa joined Slovakian side MFK Topvar Topoľčany in the summer of 2016 and would ply his trade there for one season before coming back in the country.

Upon his return, he was signed by SC Kiyovu on a two-year deal and helped the Nyamirambo-based outfit to finish fifth in the league twice before crossing to AS Kigali last month.

AS Kigali face Ugandan side Proline in the first round of the 2019/2020 Caf Confederation Cup next month after edging out KMC in the preliminary stage.

Pride in representing the country

Since his breakthrough, Kalisa has represented the country in various competitions, starting from the U17 national team through to the senior Amavubi.

"Representing my country is a great pride. With my recent move to AS Kigali, I want to work hard so I can be called in the national team again.”

On a number of occasions in the last two years, he was named in Amavubi provisional squad but failed to make it to the final team.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com