A tough decision to make on Gatete!

Whatever you may or may not think about Jean-Michel Gatete as a football player I’m sure everyone knows a thing or two or even more about the Rayon Sport and Amavubi Stars striker - if you don’t you are sick, who should perhaps think about putting yourself down. Born December 11, 1982 in Bujumbura, Burundi, Jimmy Gatete the player commonly known as ‘god of goals’ by the local fans is believed (by many) to be the undisputed best striker Rwandan football has ever known. He has scored some crucial goals in his career but none more important that those two (one-apiece) against Uganda and Ghana during the 2004 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifications which saw Rwanda reach her first ever CAN finals. The most celebrated goal in his career and of course Rwandan history is the one and only goal of the match against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro stadium in March 2003 which handed Amavubi Stars their ticket to Tunis. He scored against a star-studded Super Eagles, a goal that settled the scores to 1-1 draw when Obafemi Martins scored the equalizer. A few years back, the mere mention of the name Jimmy Gatete used to send shivers through oppositions, no matter who they were—his presence on the team, club or country would frighten even the toughest of defenders, that’s your Gatete (god of goals!) Just four years after he was Rwanda’s most feared striker and talked about footballer, Gatete is now struggling to have his national team list against ‘baby’ strikers like Uzamukunda, Gasana—even Bobo Bolla and Jean Lomami are ahead of him in the eyes of Branko Tucak! With due to respect to the strikers who are favored by the coach including Uzamukunda, Gasana, Bobo Bolla, Lomami (Jean), Saidi Abedi and Bokota, I truly believe that Gatete is an act above them all, given an unconditional opportunity like his fellow strikers, he’s a match winner—that’s my gut-feeling. However, whether he ever returns to national team fold is doubtful. By my reckoning, he will not be able to return to the team under the current regime, which raises the prospect of Uzamukunda, Gasana, and Bobo Bolla being Amavubi’s source of goals in addition to Abedi and Bokota! Not an entirely convincing situation, nice guy that Tucak is. I’m not entirely sure Gatete ever intended to fall from the national team stardom of the first five years of the 21st century with such humility, but that’s your African football. Despite being blatantly overlooked by Tucak even when it’s evidently clear that none of the current striking options is any better than the man, who a just four years ago was the symbol of Rwandan football. Surely, if he still has the same desire to play for his country as he did a couple of years ago, he should be given the chance to resurrect his international career—we all know his quality, and they say experience is the best teacher, so why not let these young strikers learn from him while playing together? Why would he bite Rayon Sport’s hand off when a two year contract was offered to him last season, rather than quitting the game altogether after APR boldly dumped him claiming he was past his sale by date! I might be wrong - it wouldn’t be such a shocker - but just a theory for you to ponder. His critics, including many of you reading this article say the man should just hang up his boots as he’s past his sale by date, but if we still rely on Saidi Abedi and Bokota, two players older than him (Gatete) to lead Amavubi’s attack, why not the ‘god ‘f goals’ after all, he’s only 27 and the former are surely in the twilight of their respective careers. By accepting Rayon’s contract, contrary to the views of many, Gatete knew and rightly so believed that he could still play at the highest level, club and country but despite all the hard work, which unlike most of other players, he does with the highest level of discipline. Gatete is a true idol not only for the upcoming young footballer but any other youngster. Forget history, but a fully fit Gatete, even at his age, is better than all the strikers in this country, name any. That is why there may never be another ‘god of goals’! Not only goals but the intelligence he brings to the game, not many coaches would leave him out their squad. Even for a Cecafa tournament! However, being an idol itself alone is no password to the team set up as Gatete can harshly testify, none the less, if you have Bobo Bolla, Saidi Abedi, Uzamukunda, Pappy Gasana, Labama Bokota and Jean Lomami on the team, why not Jimmy Gatete? Tough call, eeh! Contact: nku78@yahoo.com