It’s difficult to look past Jimmy Gatete and forget what he did for Rwanda as arguably the most talented player who famously scored important goals that led Rwanda to their historic Africa Cup of Nations 2004. Considered the best striker Rwanda has ever produced, Jimmy Gatete is one footballer whose playing days are embedded in the memories of many Rwandans who had a chance to witness his best moments of his career. The US-based football legend is in Rwanda where he is expected to attend the inauguration of the Kigali Universe, a sports and entertainment facility completed at the rooftop of CHIC building. The veteran enjoyed a successful career at club level with APR FC, Mukura VS, Rayon Sports and Ethiopian side St George and national team when he lifted Amavubi to AFCON 2004 in Tunisia. Gatete, who is among world’s football legends expected in Kigali in September for the inaugural Veterans Club World Championship (VCWC), played alongside many good players at club and country including former Amavubi captain Desire Mbonabucya and Rwanda leading top scorer Olivier Karekezi but here is his best XI of his former teammates, according to public broadcaster (RBA)’s Radio Rwanda. Goalkeeper: Eugene Murangwa Interestingly, Jimmy Gatete has clearly put Eugene Murangwa on his list in goal. Gatete said that Murangwa “knew how to play with legs and also guide the team during the whole game”. Gatete and Murangwa spent two seasons together at Rayon Sports, winning the titles of league title and Cecafa Kagame Cup in 1999 and enjoyed success together. Centre backs: Claude Kalisa and Léandre Bizagwira Gatete arrived at Rayon Sports joining Claude Kalisa in the club’s first big-spending transfer window from Mukura in 1996. The pair eventually played a key role that would lead the team to the league and Cecafa Kagame Cup double in 1999. Gatete picked Kalisa as “one of the best center backs” he has ever seen in Rwanda. Next to Kalisa, he picked former SC Kiyovu’s Léandre Bizagwira as his partner at the back on national team duty. Gatete was close to unplayable at times during his spell at Rayon, but he heaped praise on Bizagwira and Kalisa for marshalling the then tightest defence in Amavubi during AFCON 2004 qualification. Right back: Hamad Katauti Ndikumana Gatete named late Katauti Ndikumana in his dream team, describing him as one of the best defenders in Rwanda. The duo enjoyed success together at Rayon Sports and Amavubi. Left back: Abdul Sibomana Gatete and Sibomana played together at Rayon Sports, APR and Amavubi. He described him as not only one of the best right backs that Rwanda has ever produced with quality to play any position when there the team is technically at crisis. Defensive midfielder: Janot Witakenge It was hard for Gatete to pick who, between former Rayon Sports midfielder Thierry Hitimana and late Janot Witakenge, would take up the midfield role, but it is the latter who made it into his dream 11. Witakenge was close to being unrivalled as the most dominant midfielder of his generation. The late Congolese midfielder, who played for Amavubi, shared the dressing room with Gatete at Rayon Sports and APR, where they played a significant influence in the side that won four league titles between 1996 and 2009. Central midfielder: Jimmy Mulisa Gatete said that Mulisa doesn’t receive the praise that a player of his caliber deserves, despite playing top football as a professional over the course of 13 years. Attacking midfielder: Olivier Fils Karekezi Gatete said that any striker would love to have Olivier Karekezi orchestrating the midfield behind them, dictating the game and pulling markers out of position with his incisive passing. Karekezi, he said, was not just a teammate but a colleague. Left wing: Honoré Kabongo Some can't remember him but possibly the first name on the team sheet once praised Honoré Kabongo for ‘making his opponents look like chip. Gatete picked Kabongo with whom he shared good football memories during their time together at APR FC in the early 2000s. Right wing: Desire Mbonabucya Gatete described Mbonabucya as “a leader and one of the best forwards” he has played with, thanks to his big role in motivating the dressing room during Rwanda’s AFCON 2004 qualification. Striker: Jimmy Gatete He couldn’t leave himself out. He may be remembered as Rwanda’s hero as his goals against Ghana and Uganda carried the country to AFCON 2004, but Jimmy Gatete’s XI: Goalkeeper: Eugene Murangwa Defense: Hamad Katauti Ndikumana, Abdul Sibomana, Claude Kalisa and Léandre Bizagwira Midfield: Janot Witakenge, Olivier Karekezi and Jimmy Mulisa Attack: Jimmy Gatete, Desiré Mbonabucya and Honoré Kabongo
