Yves Kimenyi’s stay at Kiyovu SC came to an end on Saturday, July 8, when the club announced his departure after three seasons.
The agile shot stopper joined the Green Baggies from rivals Rayon Sports on May 27, 2020 and went on to become a key member of the squad for three seasons before his exit.
Kimenyi&039;s Rwf16 million transfer fee to the Mumena-based side remains the highest any club in the Rwandan Premier League club paid for a goalkeeper. He duly had mixed fortunes at the club with which he expected to win at least one league title.
ALSO READ: Meet Kimenyi, Rwanda’s fast-rising goalkeeper
There were high expectations from the player who only managed to guide the team to two second place finishes, twice losing the league title to APR FC in both 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.
He follows a host senior players who were show the exit door in club’s massive squad overhaul which was followed by controversial comments from club president Jean François Régis Ndorimana towards the players, accusing them of betraying the club which, as a result, hence falling short in the title race.
In the 2021/22 as well as the 2022/23 seasons, Kiyovu were firmly in control until the last two games but they surprisingly threw the title away, allowing APR to lift it.
ALSO READ: We want to write history with Kiyovu, says Kimenyi
Though he might have his personal lapses which is in relation to long balls, Kimenyi is a great goalkeeper with good reflexes who commands his back line very well.
During the 2021/22 season he was the best goalkeeper in the Rwanda Premier League as he conceded the least number of goals in the whole campaign though his club failed to win the title.
In 30 games, Kimenyi let in 16 goals which meant he conceded a little over a goal in every two games on average which was very impressive.
His next move?
Definitely Kimenyi will not be short of suitors on the local front concerning what he has achieved in the Premier League close to a decade.
Police FC remains a potential next move. Fiacre Ntwari was a priority for the law enforcers’ coach Vincent Mashami but they are said to have contacted Kimenyi after Ntwari completed his move to South African ABSA Premier League side TS Galaxy.
Times Sport understands that talks are in advanced stage between Police and Kimenyi and his move could be completed in the next 48hours.
AS Kigali would also move for the shot stopper but the club chances to join the Citizens are few given the fact that the club is reportedly struggling financially since Fabrice Shema stepped down as club president.
Kimenyi OUT, Kalyowa IN
Kiyovu announced Kimenyi’s exit after signing his replacement in Ugandan goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa on a three-year deal.
Kalyowa, 27, joins the club after six months with Ugandan top flight side BIDCO Bul FC. He becomes the third Ugandan goalkeeper to join a Rwandan topflight side after Nicholas Sebwato extended his contract with Mukura VS while Simon Tamale joined Rayon Sports from Maroons FC last week.
Tamale was named Uganda Premier League goalkeeper of the year during an awarding ceremony held in Kampala last week.
His transfer was confirmed on Saturday, July 8, exactly on the same day the club announced the signing of Liberian striker Obediah Mikel Freeman.
Standing at 1.95m, Freeman is very deadly in aerial duels and he is also clinical with both feet. Another great asset he has is footwork and pace.
ALSO READ: Kiyovu parts ways with five players
The two players were the first to sign for Kiyovu Sports after offloading as many as ten players from their last season’s squad.