Hertha Berlin target ‘Haruna’ to jet back

AMAVUBI and APR midfielder Haruna Niyonzima is expected back in Kigali this week after completing a ten-day professional trial session with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

Sunday, August 23, 2009
APR midfielder Haruna Niyonzima (R) has been under-going professional trials at Hertha Berlin in Germany. (File photo)

AMAVUBI and APR midfielder Haruna Niyonzima is expected back in Kigali this week after completing a ten-day professional trial session with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

APR club Secretary General Adolph Kalisa yesterday revealed that the 21-year-old, who has been in Germany since August 14 should jet back sometime this week.

"He should be back before the end of this week. We are also waiting for Hertha Berlin’s response,” the club official added.
According to the Germany press, Niyonzima has played three matches as part of his professional trials.

Hertha Berlin confirmed their interest in Haruna early this month and immediately pushed for trials.

Should he fail the trials, Morocco league champions Difaa El Jadida are ready to sign him. According to reports, Difaa El Jadida, who are also said to have approached Amavubi’s Saidi Abedi Makasi are more than willing to sing Niyonzima even without the burden of undergoing trails.

Niyonzima joined APR in 2007 from rival clubs Rayon Sport and has since been a hit for both club and country. His pace makes him very difficult to stop on the flanks.

Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin coach Lucien Favre is keen to bring Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin back to the German capital. The Ukrainian enjoyed a successful loan spell with Hertha last season, scoring 11 goals and helping them secure a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga.

He has since returned to Anfield, but his chances of regular first-team football under Rafael Benitez look bleak.

Before last evening’s encounter with VfL Bochum, Hertha Berlin was languishing in 11th place on the Bundesliga table.

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