Esperance coach handed 8-match ban, Etincelles fined

FERWAFA’S disciplinary committee has taken tough measures against Esperance coach Camarade Banamwana and Etincelles Football Club. According to the head of Ferwafa’s disciplinary committee Jeff Kajangwe, Banamwana faces an 8-match ban and a fine of Rwf100,000 for confronting the match referee. His troubles stem from a crime he is accused of committing after Esperance lost to Gicumbi 1-0 at Mumena in the first round last year. Kajangwe said the stand on Banamwana’s punishment was taken after assessing the gravity of his actions and keeping in mind that he failed to appear before the disciplinary committee when summoned. “We informed him to appear before the committee and we didn’t get any response from him or the club. No one is above the law, and there are rules and regulations that govern our football.” However Banamwana denied the accusations, saying, “I never confronted the referee but I did raise a few issues with the match commissioner (Francois Rwirasira).” “Among the issues I had asked him, why they had to appoint (Balthazar Ahishakiye) to officiate the game against Gicumbi when he actually resides in the same area, but to say that I confronted the referee, is untrue” added the former Bugesera FC coach. Meanwhile, Etincelles will play their next league match behind closed doors after their fans displayed unruly behavior when the team lost to Esperance 3-1 at Umuganda stadium last week. Rubavu-based Etincelles will host Police FC on March 8. Their first-choice goalkeeper Freddy Mukadi Ilunga and their lead fan Claver Rudodo were each hit with a six-match ban and a fine of Rwf100,000 respectively. If the ban stands, Banamwana, whose team is second from bottom of the table, will return on the touchline for the final match of the season, ironically when they play away to Gicumbi on May 31. According to Kayiranga, both Banamwana and Etincelles, a club he used to lead as chairman until January when he resigned after being elected in Ferwafa, have two-working days to appeal from Thursday if they are not satisfied with the decision.

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Esperance coach handed 8-match ban, Etincelles fined