Kiyovu can only get better, says coach Kanamugire

SC Kiyovu coach Aloys Kanamugire has said that his youthful side can only get better after a run of two consecutive victories following a 3-1 drubbing of Etincelles on Sunday. After taking charge of the first team as head coach at the start of the season, Kanamugire promised to give more young Rwandan players a chance to play regularly. The Mumena-based side followed in the footsteps of APR FC (four seasons now) and Police FC (two seasons) that first took the bold move to use only Rwandan players. Prior to being appointed head coach, Kanamugire was acting club technical director. He says his plan is to field only Rwandan players in the next two years. Kiyovu is one of the oldest football clubs in Rwanda, but has not won the league title since 1993. On Sunday, the ‘Green Baggies’ registered their third win of the season with a 3-1 victory away to Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium to move to 10th position in the league table with 11 points in eight matches. Former Rayon Sports striker Kambale Salita gave the hosts the lead in the 20th minute but Jean Claude Nizeyinama equalized for the visitors eight minutes later. Francis Mustafa added the second goal in the 32nd minute before Nizeyimana completed his brace and the comeback in the 70thminute— Djuma Nizeyimana provided all the three assists. “We started the season poorly, conceding many goals but slowly, we are turning things around. On Sunday we had a great performance against Etincelles and I hope we can take that into the rest of the season,” Kanamugire told Times Sport on Tuesday. SC Kiyovu young goalkeeper Bonheur Hategekimana has been tipped to go places. (Sam Ngendahimana) Kiyovu’s next game on Sunday is against the defending league champions APR FC, who are second in the league with 17 points, having played a game less, five points behind leaders Rayon Sports. Kanamugire noted that, “We were good on the ball, passed it well and we made runs for each other, which made the game easy for us.” “My team’s lack of experience affected us in the first few games but we are getting better with every game and, hopefully, in January we will be up and closer to the top teams. We have spent little time with these players but I can see there’s good progress,” explained the former Amavubi player. editorial@newtimes.co.rw