Karekezi, copy Owen or just return home

When you see Rwanda’s national football team captain desperate to get a new club, yet no one seems interested, you know something is wrong somewhere. This, especially if you consider that just a few years ago, everyone was looking at Olivier Karekezi becoming one of the best Rwandan players to have ever played professional football. When Karekezi signed for Swedish first division side Helsingborgs IF from APR in 2005, I was one of those who looked at his move as the start of what we all hoped was going to be a flourishing professional career for a player considered to be the most naturally gifted footballer Rwanda has ever produced. Between 2002 and 2005, Karekezi was by far the biggest star of the APR team that dominated not only Rwandan football but even the region. He was part of Jean Ntagwabira’s team that won the Cecafa club championship in 2004 (APR’s first regional title), he played a big role in Rwanda’s qualification for her first ever appearance at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Tunisia under Djukovic Ratomir. Karekezi was the pillar of probably APR’s best to date of the 2003/04 season, which had other star performers as Jimmy Gatete, Jimmy Mulisa, Didier Bizimana, Francis Gonzaga, Macoy Makombe, Manfred Kizito, Mike Sirengo, James Odoch, goalkeeper Aime Ndizeye, among others. This team dismantled Egyptian giants Zamalek 4-0 at Amahoro stadium at the second round return leg of Africa Champions League. Unfortunately it could not go beyond the third round after being eliminated by Ivorian side African Sport. Karekezi’s flamboyance on the pitch especially when in possession of the ball, his natural dribbling and passing skill made him the darling of the team among the supporters. When the Swede Roger Palmegren was made national team coach in September 2004, the first player to catch his eye was Karekezi. The next year, he took him to Helsingborgs IF. In his first season, Karekezi scored five goals in 18 matches. His second season at the Swedish club was much better as he scored 11 times and thus became their top scorer in Allsvenskan. Yet, despite helping the club qualify to play in the Uefa Cup (now Europa Cup), he didn’t have the best of times and it came as no surprise when the club cashed in on him with Norwegian first division side Hamarkameratene (Ham Kam). He transferred to Hamarkameratene in January 2008.His rapid dip in form did little to help the struggling Ham Kam avoid relegation to the second division last season, now he wants out and no one seems interested. In such situations, my humble advice to Karekezi is simple. He should either do what Michael Owen did when his management team circulated a 32-page Brochure to all potential buyers or just return home where he’s likely to play regularly and save his career. Owen’s move was a desperate attempt to get himself a new club after his contract with relegated Newcastle United (where he was captain) ran out. The 32-page brochure was designed to encourage his sale, but despite his attempt looking as unprofessional as it was woefully misguided and desperate, the 29-year-old striker got what he wanted. He’s now in the books of Premier League champions Manchester United! It’s as ridiculous as you could ever imagine but it worked for him, now I suggest that Karekezi goes the same route if he intends to get a new team. The problem is, what is he going to include in his dossier? I see little on his CV and that could have a big effect on his next move. The Rwandan international captain, at 27 years old is supposed to be nearing his prime, yet a critical look at his performances for club and country in the last 12 months or so, he looks way far beyond his best. Now who’s ready to take a gamble on him the way Sir Alex Ferguson did with Owen? Much as Karekezi seems uninterested in staying with Ham Kam, he’s still contracted to them and until the relegated club decides to sell him, there’s little he can do. He could force a move away, which is very possible but to where? Today, he talks of Energie Cottbus (Germany) being interested in him, the next day it’s Egypt’s Al Hilal, then Nottingham Forest (England second division) after that, it’s Notts County (England third tier), he could even end up playing Sunday League football somewhere in Europe! Now that’s going low. But instead of going round the world looking for buyers, even where they don’t exist, why can’t our vastly talented national team captain copy Michael Owen’s style of advertisement or simply return home where there is no shortage of suitors? For a player, who just four years ago was predicted to become the country’s best export, only to end up the way of Karekezi is not only disappointing on his part but goes a long way to prove that Rwandan football and that of the entire Cecafa region still has so much to do before we think of having players in the world’s best leagues. Come home Olivier or else your international career, which has seen you represent your country 44 times could be over even before you’re 28. Contact:nku78@yahoo.com