With nine goals and five assists in 15 games in the Rwanda Premier League first round, Ghanaian striker Moro Sumaila was the hottest player going into the January 2023 transfer window.

It looked like the striker's days at Etincelles were numbered as he was destined to move just six months after joining the Rubavu-based club from then relegated Ghana Premier League side Techiman Eleven Wonders on a two-year deal.

Even prior to his move to Rwanda, Moro was not short of suitors, King Faisal FC, Berekum Chelsea, Great Olympics and Bechem United, all from the Ghana Premier League, were interested in his services due to his goal scoring prowess. He, however, turned down their offers in favor of a move to Etincelles.

In his first season in Rwanda, the attacker has been a real nightmare for opposing defenders during his first season in Rwandan Premier League. He doesn’t care who he plays against having found the back of the net of almost every big club in Rwanda including APR, Rayon Sports, Kiyovu, AS Kigali and Police FC.

Two of the four teams, AS Kigali and Rayon Sports showed interest in the striker before the end of the first round of the league.

The pair, who sit first and second on the league table, regarded Moro as a great addition whose goals would contribute a lot to their quest to steal the league title from defending champions APR.

After the first round of the season, Moro and his agent Emmanuel Nduwayezu spent the whole festive season in Kigali holding talks with both AS Kigali and Rayon Sports who had firm interest in him.

AS Kigali were the frontrunners for his signature but his deal was delayed by the fact that Etincelles were looking to sign his replacement after he made it clear to the club that he was not ready to stay for the remainder of the season in case either of the teams agree to meet the club’s price tag.

But the Etincelles were not ready to let him go until they found his replacement.

The club brought in Richard Nathan but he failed to pass the trials. The club later reached an agreement with Ghanaian forward Abdul Muniru Rahman who traveled to sign the deal last week.

As it stands now, Etincelles have gotten a replacement for Moro Sumaila but it remains unclear whether AS Kigali and Rayon Sports are still interested in meeting his buyout clause of $25,000 with the January transfer closing in the next 48 hours.

Moro is now in Rubavu and has been training with the rest of the team during the past two weeks but he was not included in Etincelles squad that beat Rutsiro 1-0 at Umuganda Stadium on Sunday although he was fit to play.

As it stands now, only Etincelles know whether Moro will leave or stay until his contract expires in June 2024.