Patrick Mutsinzi: A budding striker set for greatness in UAE
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Rwandan youngster Patrick Mutsinzi(#28 Left) who plays for Al Wahda in UAE as a striker, seen here during a training session with his teammates

The name Patrick Mutsinzi might definitely not ring a bell as he is virtually unknown but the Rwandan youngster is gradually charting a great path to success.

At just 20, Mutsinzi is already playing top flight football in the United Arab Emirates with Abu Dhabi-based side Al Wahda.

The youngster's journey to success has not come out of the blue, he has worked tirelessly for it and it is paying off.

Unlike most Rwandan footballers, he never played top flight football in his native country. Mutsinzi was with second tier club Heroes FC just a year ago where he was their top marksman before being scouted by the UAE top flight club.

Rwandan youngster Patrick Mutsinzi who plays for Al Wahda in UAE as a striker.

He joined Al Wahda in January 2023 and barely spent time with the U21 side after his talent impressed club manager Arno Buitenweg who has also given him the chance in the senior side.

The Rwandan youngster has featured in cup games for the senior team and has also appeared twice on the bench in league games.

The enterprising talent who is nicknamed "Mbappe,” the France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar, is dynamic as he can operate anywhere across the frontline.

Mutsinzi already has a big dream, he wants to be the best and his biggest aim in club football is to play for Arsenal.

"My dream is to play professional football for Arsenal, a team I support," he said in an interview his former club Heroes FC uploaded on their YouTube channel in 2022.

"I am an attacker with power and good techniques. Whenever I am on the field, I just have one thing in my mind which is to win," he noted

With Amavubi coach Carlos Alos Ferrer hunting for strikers as goal scoring has been the main bane of his team since taking over in March 2022, Mutsinzi could be offered the chance.

He is now among the country's few strikers playing in a top level league abroad and if he is given the chance per his performance he could be the wild card for the Amavubi.

To get the chance in the UAE Premier League and earn playing time is not a joke. This is a league which is ranked among the best in Asia and has over the years produced some of Africa's greatest strikers including Ghanaian legend Asamoah Gyan.

From the recent AFCON qualifier double header against Benin, it is evident that Meddie Kagere has got tired legs and he only needs to play cameo roles as replacements are being found.

Now, Carlos Ferrer needs to bring in new blood in his Amavubi setup with the likes of Patrick Mutsinzi, Lague Byiringiro among young, energetic talents knocking for a call up during the June qualifiers against Mozambique.

The duo show their pedigree to compliment the effort of Gilbert Mugisha who was superb when he was given the chance.