Mbungo's case for greatness as he guides Police to first trophy

Manya Rwandan football fan have recently described out Andre Cassa Mbungo as a great coach but with not much individual success to point to, something that almost undermined their argument. Until this weekend, the tall and soft-spoken tactician had only won the Peace Cup with AS Kigali in 2013 after he saw off APR in the semi-final and defeated AS Muhanga 3-0 in the final. The triumph earned the City-of-Kigali sponsored side a place among Africa’s top clubs as they competed in last year’s CAF Confederation Cup. Rayon Sports striker Peter Otema tries to go past Police defenders Fabrice Twagizimana (L) and Eric Ngendahimana in the Peace Cup final on Saturday at Amahoro Stadium. With just Mwemere Ngirinshuti and Mohammed Mushimiyimana in the national football side at the time, Mbungo built a strong AS Kigali side on simple virtues like hard work, determination, commitment and integrity. In their debut appearance in the CAF Confederations Cup, AS Kigali defeated Burundi’s Academie Tchite 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round to set up a berth with Al Ahly Shandy of Sudan. AS Kigali won the first leg of the first round 1-0 at home before losing 1-0 in Sudan to force a penalty shootout that Mbungo’s side won 5-4 becoming only the second Rwandan team to ever make it to the second round of the continental competition. APR stand-in skipper Hegman Ngomirakiza receives a Rwf1m dummy cheque for third place from FERWAFA vice president Vedaste Kayiranga. Mbungo’s team won 1-0 in the first leg in Kigali but the loss of two players to injury, including striker Bodo Ndikumana and Mushiyimana, dented AS Kigali’s chances of going past the Moroccans who won 3-0 to eliminate the Rwandan outfit. Nonetheless, Mbungo had written history. At this point, his fans could comfortably argue their case. In July 2014, he was signed by Police FC to replace Ugandan coach Sam Ssimbwa. Mbungo made his intentions clear with an unbeaten run in a rather challenging Group C pool in the CECAFA Kagame Cup that was hosted in Kigali. Centre referee Issa Kagabo was awarded as the best referee this season. Police defeated eventual champions El Merreikh of Sudan 1-0 before beating defending champions Vital’O of Burundi 1-0 and Banadir of Somalia 1-0 to book a date against Burundi’s Atletico in the quarter-finals. A goalless draw in the last eight forced a penalty shootout that Police won 9-8 to book a date with three-time CECAFA Kagame Cup champions APR. In the battle of the forces, APR won 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regular time. Mbungo redeemed his side with a 4-2 penalty win against KCCA to finish in third place. A great start including a 1-0 win over Gicumbi and 5-0 emphatic victory against SC Kiyovu, inspired by a hat-trick from captain Jacques Tuyisenge, gave the law enforcers the perfect start. But Police would later fail to win a league game, drawing five games and losing to Marines 3-1 in Rubavu to fall to sixth position on the table standings with 11 points from eight games. Mbungo had lost his formidable attacking formation of Kipson Atuheire, Jimmy Mbaraga, Jerome Sina who had orchestrated the third place finish in the regional competition but he did not despair and instead continued to challenge for the trophy. Rayon Sports fans filled the most part of the 30,000 seater Amahoro Stadium to watch the Peace Cup final. On finishing third at the end of the season, he prepared Police for the big stage – the Peace Cup. Unlike Rayon Sports, who had an ‘easier’ route to the final, Police had to overcome Sunrise 2-1 in the round of 16, SC Kiyovu 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, before stunning APR on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals. Mbungo had to rely on teamwork rather than individual brilliance and relentless performances from Tuyisenge, Fabrice Twagizimana, Jean Bosco Uwacu, Imran Nshimiyimana, goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure and Idesbard Nshuti to end Police’s 13-year trophy-less jinx. Two-goal scorer Patrick Sibomana of APR (in white) vies for the ball with an Isonga defender on Saturday in the Peace Cup third place playoff at Amahoro Stadium. An usher delivers the Peace Cup trophy that was clinched by Police FC after beating Rayon Sports 1-0. Police goalkeeper Marcel Nzarora and teammates lift Police FCs first trophy in their 13-year history. A Rayon Sports fan is left disappointed after her sides 1-0 loss to Police in the Peace Cup final on Saturday.