Amavubi legend Olivier Karekezi is in Cairo, Egypt, where will assist the draw for the preliminary rounds of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup on Thursday, August 6. Recommended by Rwanda FA Secretary-General Bonnie Mugabe, the former Rwanda captain will take part in conducting the draw, which includes clubs closely associated with his career—APR FC, where he starred as a player, and Rayon Sports, whom he later coached. He (Mugabe) called me and asked whether I would have time to travel to Cairo, and I told him I would be delighted to. CAF later contacted me and sent all the necessary documents, Karekezi told Times Sport. Karekezi departed Kigali International Airport on Wednesday evening and is set to become the first Amavubi legend to take part in the draw ceremony for a CAF inter-club competition. The draw will determine the preliminary-round fixtures for Africa's two premier club competitions. Rwanda will be represented by APR FC in the CAF Champions League and Rayon Sports in the CAF Confederation Cup. Karekezi, 46, began his senior career with Intare FC before joining APR FC in 1998, where he enjoyed tremendous success both domestically and on the continental stage. In 2005, he moved to Sweden to join Helsingborgs IF, spending three seasons there before signing for Norwegian top-flight side Hamarkameratene. He also played for Swedish clubs Östers IF and Trelleborgs FF, as well as Tunisian outfit CA Bizertin. On the international stage, Karekezi made his Rwanda debut in 2000 and represented Amavubi for 13 years. He remains the country's all-time leading scorer with 25 goals in 53 appearances before retiring from international football in August 2013. He was also a member of the historic Rwanda squad that qualified for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia—the country's only appearance at the continental finals. After earning his UEFA Pro Licence, Karekezi transitioned into coaching and has since managed several Rwandan top-flight clubs, including Rayon Sports and Kiyovu Sports.
