Mugiraneza linked with move to Tz side Namungo
Monday, August 17, 2020
Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, 34, won six league titles with APR. / File.

Namungo have expressed interest in signing Rwandan midfielder Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza from Tanzania topflight league side rivals KMC, Times Sport has learned.

The holding midfielder is out of contract at KMC and could soon complete the move to Namungo, a side that is coached by Rwandan tactician Thierry Hitimana.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Hitimana confirmed to Times Sport that his club held talks with the former APR skipper but no commitments have been made by either side yet.

"Discussions between him [Migi] and the club took place, but nothing decisive has come out yet,” said Hitimana. "We have young players who did a great job last season, but we need someone experienced like Mugiraneza.”

Mugiraneza, 34, retired from international football last week having clocked 68 caps for the national team Amavubi over a 14-year period.

Separately, he told this publication that he is free to offers and had also held talks with KMC about an extension after serving out his one-year contract last month.

"I do not have a club right now, so I am open to offers and anything is possible. I have held talks with many teams including KMC and Namungo, let’s see what will happen in a few days.”

Mugiraneza, one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation, won the 2010 Cecafa Kagame Cup with APR, the club’s last of their three regional titles. He also inspired the army side to six league titles and five Peace Cups.

At the height of his career, in 2009, Mugiraneza was linked with a move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais but the transfer did not materialise.

He also previously played for La Jeunesse and SC Kiyovu in the Rwanda Premier League, Azam FC in Tanzanian top tier league as well as Kenyan powerhouse Gor Mahia.