It is almost three months to the end of the 2022-23 Rwanda Premier League season. A lot has transpired on and off the pitch, and many lovers of the game are following developments with interest. Among the key things that stood out is the fact that Rayon Sports looks strong enough to win the title this time. Inspite of all, however, some top Rwandan players are finding it so hard to get a club. When the transfer market for the season closed, it left some big players without teams. They are still waiting for the January 2023 window to see if they can get teams. Here, we look at some of these big names without a club. Eric 'Bakame' Ndayishimiye, 31 Ndayishimiye is an experienced goalkeeper who has played for almost every big club in Rwanda, in addition to the national team. At 31, goalkeepers always still have a lot to offer. But Bakame seems to be facing a hard time at this stage. The former Rayon Sports show-stopper currently does not have a team, after parting ways with Police FC at the end of the 2021-22 season. Ndayishimiye made a name for himself when he won the CECAFA Kagame Cup in 2009 with defunct Atraco after beating Sudanese giants Al Merreikh in Khartoum. That same year, he won the league title and Peace Cup. Regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers the country has ever produced, Bakame won trophies with Atraco, APR, and Rayon Sports. Since early 2005, Ndayishimiye featured for national teams at all levels, starting with the U-17 side in 2005, the U-20s from 2007 to early 2009, and Amavubi seniors from 2008 to 2021. It is said that in January he may go to Musanze FC or Bugesera FC. Umar Rwabugiri, 27 Umar Rwabugiri is another goalkeeper who is currently unemployed. Boasting a fairly good career that has seen him feature for top clubs like Mukura VS, APR FC, and Police FC, the 27-year-old is among the good goalkeepers that the country has had in the past five years. He most recently played for Police FC (in the 2021-2022 season) but didn't renew his contract. The goalkeeper is working hard hoping that in January 2023 he will find a team. It is said that he can return to Mukura VS. He is fondly remembered in Mukura Victory Sports which won Peace Cup in 2019. Eric Radu Iradukunda, 30 Eric Iradukunda, an experienced right-back is also currently club less. He has formerly played for teams like AS Kigali, Rayon Sports, and then Police FC, a club for which he played for two years before his contract expired. Mohammed Mushimiyimana, 26 Midfielder Mohamed Meddy Mushimiyimana has struggled to find a club after he part ways with Rayon Sports in 2021 He played for SEC Academy, AS Kigali, Győri ETO, Police, APR, and rayon Sports. He also played for all national team youth U17, U20, U23 and senior national teams. Mushimiyimana made his senior international debut for Rwanda as a substitute in a second-leg 2014 African Nations Championship qualification match. At 26, he will probably be hoping to get a club next season so that he carries on with his footballing endeavors. Maxime Sekamana, 26 The silky player who had some good days at APR FC and Rayon Sports is also one of those that don't have a club. His most recent stint was at Rayon Sports, a club with which he part ways and has been unattached ever since. Justin Mico, 27 The striker signed a two-year contract with Rayon Sports in the summer of 2021 from Police FC. After only one year, he was asked to cancel his contract with this club and look elsewhere. Mico played for Isonga, AS Kigali, Sofapaka, Police and Rayon Sports The former Rwanda U20 international is a talented and gifted player. However, after the 2011 U-17 FIFA World Cup, Mico got off the radar and struggled to rediscover his form, first with Isonga FC and later AS Kigali. As a result, speculation was rife that the young forward would never fulfill his potential. However, since joining Police FC, the youngster has proved that he still has the talent to take him places. His best season was back in the 2016/2017 season, he netted 15 goals in the national league and had 17 assists. The 26-year versatile player can play as a striker, playmaker, or midfielder. Christophe Bukuru, 26 He is a player that many believe has talent but his behavior is still a problem. In 2019, he left Rayon Sports to join APR FC who fired him in May 2021. In February 2022, he signed a six-month contract with Rayon Sports but in the end, it was not extended.
