Considered the best striker Rwanda has ever produced, Jimmy Gatete is one footballer whose playing days are embedded in the memories of many local fans. The retired footballer recently visited Rwanda after spending a long time in the United States where he currently resides. His visit excited many football lovers, including those who saw him play and some who did not. The goals he scored against Uganda and Ghana during the AFCON 2004 qualification campaign saw the national team make it to the tournament for the first time and they still ring bells in many minds. Born in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi in 1979, Gatete started his professional career as a youngster with then Burundian Premier League Side Flamingo where he rose to prominence as a striker before joining Mukura in 1995 after the Genocide against the Tutsi. His performances at Mukura caught the eye of APR FC who managed to acquire his signature in 2002 despite interest from other teams in and around east Africa. He spent two seasons at the club before he was snapped up by South Africa’s Maritzburg United in 2004/2005. Gatete returned to APR after one season and continued his fine form in Rwanda’s top flight, playing for APR from 2005 to 2007. The 2005 return of Gatete to APR was a masterstroke as he became the engine of that team that won the Rwandan League two times as well as the domestic peace cup. Gatete’s predatory instincts in the opposition’s box, speed, strength, and confidence made him score many important goals both for APR and Amavubi. He was such a master-class that people who watched him play might be wondering why he never played in Europe. On club level, he was a key element in the flamboyant APR team that reached the semifinals of the 2003 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup, playing alongside great players like Olivier Karekezi. In 2007-2009, he joined Rayon Sports, before going on to play for Police FC and Ethiopia’s St. George. In his 42 competitive appearances for the national team, he scored 25 goals, including some very important ones. His most celebrated goal is the one he scored against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali in March 2003 which led to Rwanda’s 1–0 win and contributed to their ticket to Tunis for the final tournament the following year. If Gatete had popped up today, I bet he could have reached an even higher level in his career since tall elegant strikers like him are wanted by many top clubs across Europe.
