Various clubs in the Rwandan Premier League have been busy in the transfer market so far as we hit the middle of the transfer window.
So far, APR is leading the way with a number of good foreign signings as they are back to recruiting expatriate players after a decade relying on the services of only home grown players who will now have to double their work rate on the pitch to get into the starting lineup.
Seeing some fans back in the stadiums brings the vibe back inside the military side’s dressing room.
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ALSO READ: Transfer updates: APR sign two more foreign players, Mugisha stays
But APR were not alone on the market. Rayon Sports has also been trying to get their business right as the club prepares for a return to the continental stage. Mukura, Amagaju, Kiyovu and Sunrise are among other clubs which made their presence on the transfer market noticed.
The Uganda international, who also doubles as a software engineer, is expected to raise the level of the Rwandan Premier League with his huge on and off the field personality.
He is a workaholic box to box midfielder who gets the job done.
Lwanga featured for Djiboutian big spenders Arta Solar7 during the 2022/23 season.
Pavelh Ndzila (APR)
Ndzila, 28, is national team goalkeeper for Congo Brazzaville with 18 caps and he has been a constant figure in the CAF Club competitions with 14 games under his belt.
The former AS Otoho keeper is among the respected shot stoppers in the Central African region.
The signing of Ndzila will likely bring the best out of Pierre Ishimwe as he would learn a lot from him and it is good for the Rwandan game as the up and coming goalkeepers could also benefit from him.
ALSO READ: Transfer updates: APR sign two more foreign players, Mugisha stays
Ally Serumogo (Rayon Sports)
The Amavubi defender was released by Kiyovu Sports in their massive overhaul just days after the end of the 2022/23 season and he has been swooped by Rayon Sports.
The signing of the former Sunrise defender will be very helpful for the Blues especially during their African club football campaign.
Serumogo can bring stability in Rayon’s right flank while his attacking threats from the right wing would also cause troubles to the opponents. The Blues are well covered in that position as Didier Mucyo is also an excellent lateral defender.
Victor Mbaoma (APR FC)
Mbaoma whose market value stands at €200,000, according to transfermarkt, joined APR FC on a free transfer from Uzbekistan side Qizilqum FC.
The former Enyimba FC striker has been capped twice by Nigeria at senior level as he made his debut against Mexico on May 29, 2022.
Rwanda&039;s bane in football in recent years has been goal scoring as club's barely find the back of the net in CAF Competitions. With Mbaoma at his prime, APR could write a new history in CAF competitions.
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Rharb Youssssef (Rayon)
The Moroccan forward is not new at Rayon Sports, having previously enjoyed a loan deal with the club from Raja Casablanca in 2021 before and he and the management were involved into a debacle which resulted in a split, prompting him to return to his parent club in Morocco.
Youssef is a great talent and he showed it in his first stint as he formed a superb attacking partnership with Leandre Onana who joined Simba SC in June.
Morocco is now leading African football and having a talented player from the country adds color to the Rwandan League.
Obediah Mikel Freeman (Kiyovu Sport)
Freeman was among the top attackers in the Liberian League during the 2022/23 season where he scored goals for fun.
Standing at 1.95m, Freeman is very deadly in aerial duels and he is also clinical with both feet. His footwork and pace also make him a great asset for the Green Baggies.
He joined Kiyovu from Oilers FC on a three-year deal for an undisclosed amount. With his goal scoring prowess, bigger foreign teams could even swoop for him after one season.
Ndikuriyo Patient (Amagaju)
Newly-promoted Amagaju FC made a big signing in Burundian shot stopper Ndikuriyo Patient from Bumamuru FC.
Ndikuriyo has been key for the Burundian champions over the years and he could make a big impact in Rwanda.
With experienced goalkeepers like Ndikuriyo in the league, many up and coming local goalkeepers will learn a lot from the shot stopper who finished as the goalkeeper of the season in Burundi.
Yamen Zelfani (Rayon Sports)
The Blues really mean business in the coming season and they have brought Zelfani who has enormous experience coaching teams in the Arab world and France as well.
The Tunisian has a good CV and his expertise is highly-ranked especially in North Africa and the Gulf. He will make many people in the Maghreb world follow the Rwandan League.
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Thierry Froger (APR)
The French gaffer takes over from Ben Moussa who won the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier League for APR as interim coach.
Froger, 60, is a wily tactician with huge experience having coached some of the best teams on the African continent including USM Algiers and TP Mazembe.
He has also handled the Togolese national team as well as French clubs Le Mans, Chateuroux, Lille, Nimes and Creteil among others.
ALSO READ: Thierry Froger unveiled as APR FC boss
The technical knowhow of coaches in a league goes a long way to raise the image of the competition and, with Froger in the dug out of APR, the Rwandan league is getting up there. The club hierarchy hopes the Frenchman will build a more competitive team while his profile can also attract the world of football to turn their focus on Rwandan football.
Petros Koukouras (Kiyovu)
The Green Baggies hired Koukouras after releasing the entire technical staff that failed to win the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier League.
The young Greek gaffer was the assistant coach of the South Sudan national team from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.
His last job was with Uganda Premier League side SC Villa where both parties parted ways through mutual agreement on June 23, 2022.
Koukouras holds a UEFA License A coaching certificate. There is hope that the Mumena-based side will get even better under the coach who is familiar with Africa football.
Simon Tamale (Rayon Sports)
The 28-year-old shot stopper had a superb 2022-2023 season with Maroons in the Ugandan top flight league where he kept 12 clean sheets and won seven man-of-the match prizes which saw him named Ugandan League goalkeeper of the year besides being nominated for the league player of the year award.
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Tamale’s transfer to Rayon Sports will boost the confidence of their two keepers namely Adophe Hakizimana and Bonheur Hategekimana who still have what it takes to become top goalkeepers.
He can shape their career in a way or another.