Isonga FC plots quick return to Primus League

TWENTY TWO players from Centre de Formation and Academies are undergoing trials with the second division side Isonga after the club released majority of the senior players following their relegation from the Primus League.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
U20 national team striker Justin Mico is one of few remaining senior players at Isonga FC. Times Sport/File

TWENTY TWO players from Centre de Formation and Academies are undergoing trials with the second division side Isonga after the club released majority of the senior players following their relegation from the Primus League.

The club's Secretary General, Sandra Muhimpundu told Times Sport on Wednesday that the team has 22 players undergoing trials ahead of the new campaign.

"They are on trials with us, and if they impress the coaches and he recommends that we sign them, then we will give them contracts but we are still assessing them,” she said.

Muhimpundu also revealed the club has not signed any player but despite the fact that the second division league starts in two months’ time.

The official believes they will have a good team which will be aiming for a quick return to the top flight division.

"We need a very good team, and we hope the players will fight even more than they did last season if we are get right back in the Primus League,” he added.

She noted, "Last season the team was not consistent enough but this season we want everyone to pull in the same direction as we bid for quick promotion, this team is better than playing in the second division.”

The club, which forms the core part of the U-17 national team, has started the process to find new players from local academies and talent detection centres to replace the players, who have been released.

The Ministry of Sport and Culture and Inyange Industries will continue to sponsor the team and the team management is looking for other sponsors so that they can build a strong team.

Isonga FC was founded two years ago as a composition of players, who played in the U-17 African Youth Championship and the Fifa World Cup.

The team was promoted to the U-20 level and registered to play in the national league without going through the second division.

The team finished in sixth position in its debut season in the 2011/12 season but failed to maintain that impressive form in the just-concluded 2012/13 season, which saw them relegated to the second-tier league.

Isonga FC is under the guidance of former La Jeunesse FC coach Yves Rwasamanzi, who is assisted by Innocent Seninga and Alex Mugabo as the goalkeeping coach.