RIVALS APR and Rayon Sport are engaged in a battle for veteran Burundian Goal Keeper’ Aime Ndizeye alias Ndanda.

It all started last month when the 29-year-old was among six players released by APR to look for other clubs, but in a rather bizarre twist, the club hierarchy rescinded their decision and decided to bring him back as a goal keeper coach at time when he had signed for rivals Rayon Sport.

In an exclusive interview with Times Sport, the Secretary General of APR Adolphe Kalisa admitted that it was a mistake to let him go.

"Last season, Ndanda made it clear to us that he wanted to retire but the club insisted to hold onto to him as a goal keeping coach. The club still needs him and he knows it,” Kalisa said.

"For now, we are sure if he has really signed for Rayon. It could just be a sign on fee (money given to a player to induce him to sign a contract),” he added.

But Rayon Sport’s Secretary General Olivier Gakwaya yesterday confirmed to this paper that Ndanda had signed a two-year deal with the club.

"He signed a two deal with the club last week and is now a blue,” Gakwaya confirmed.

Apart from Elias Ntaganda, Ndanda was APR’s longest player, having joined the club in 1999. During his time at the club, he won seven league titles, two Cecafa club championships and six Amahoro Cup titles.

He was also part of APR’s 2003/04 resolute team, which humiliated Egyptian giants Zamalek in the Champions League.

But the last two seasons have been a turbulent period after dropping down the pecking order behind Jean Claude Ndoli.

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