Bayisenge for Austrian medical ahead of move

Out-of-contract APR central defender Emery Bayisenge is set for medical at Austrian side Lask Linz FC next week ahead of next season that commences on July 24. The former U-17 as well as U-20 and current U-23 national football team captain is awaiting a visa that could be issued on July 13 after the Austrian First League (second division) side wrote a letter to APR and Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) revealing their interest and commitment in signing the prolific defender. “I am looking forward to this opportunity of playing at Lask Linz. I hope everything goes according to plan,” said Bayisenge in an exclusive interview with Times Sport. Bayisenge recently inspired APR to their 15th record league title in their 22-year history, his second league title since joining them in 2013 from Isonga FC. He also won the Peace Cup with APR in the 2013/2014 season, before making it to the finals of the 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Kigali. Most notably, Bayisenge is renowned for his role in captaining the Junior Wasps in the 2011 Africa U-17 Youth Championships hosted in Rwanda where they finished second after falling to Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final. Despite defeat in the final, the Junior Wasps qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico as Rwanda made a debut appearance at the international scene even though they did not get out of Group C which had England, Canada and Uruguay. On return to Rwanda, the Junior Wasps formed Isonga, a youthful team that featured in the topflight division, captained by Bayisenge who guided them to sixth position at the end of the season having defeated top sides including eventual league champions APR, Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu. French side Toulosse invited him for trials in the summer of 2012 but could not sign him, as he was too young to be in France alone without any guardians. In 2013, he also did trials at Belgian side Zulte Walgem. Two years later at the age of 21, Bayisenge is ready for the challenge ahead and he said, “Playing in Europe will be good for my career and every football player wants to play at the high level. I will gain massive experience as well.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw