Etincelles have established themselves as one of the most feared clubs in the Rwandan Premier League in the ongoing 2022/23 campaign. The Rubavu-based club are certainly in the form of their life having gone unbeaten in their last nine league games, their longest run ever. You may be right to be surprised to see a team enjoying such a commendable performance yet months after it was on the brink of pulling out of the top flight league before the new season began after the club's top management decided to quit and leave it to the district due to financial constraints. The players hardly knew what the future had in store for them while others decided to move elsewhere in a transfer exodus that forced the club to return to the market to make new signings. Since the district allocated its financial support to the club management, Etincelles started the season well and kicking. Coach Rajab Bizumuremyi has instilled confidence in his group which had a positive impact on the club’s results game after game. They are yet to lose a game since November 20, 2022 when they were walloped 3-0 by old cross-town rivals Marines FC in the Rubavu derby. Since that defeat, Etincelles pulled crucial upsets against two premier league title contenders Rayon Sports (3-2) and APR (1-1). Following Saturday's 2-0 win over Espoir, Etincelles are now sixth on the league log with 33 points and are just four points behind table leaders APR. If Bizumuremyi can keep men up and running, the club undoubtedly stands an equal chance of clinching the title. The Western Province club has a long history of producing quality, they groomed the likes of Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima and Police forward Muhadjiri Hakizimana among other top players before they joined big teams in the Rwandan capital. ALSO READ: Etincelles out to dent APR's title race Currently, the coach has a well-drilled side led by Ghanaian attacker Moro Sumaila whose nine goals and seven assists in 18 league games put him among the front runners for the golden boot this season. Etincelles have a balanced squad in depth. Even when Moro doesn’t score, the likes of Ibrahim Niyonsenga and Sadjat Niyonkuru step up and deliver goals. Mboyumuremyi’s proven experience in Rwandan football also gives opposing sides a headache despite his struggles to lift a league title in his career. His presence in the league over the past 13 seasons does not favor anybody who still doubts that he has what it takes to win. He is on his third stint with the club and has made the current crop of players who have started to believe that anything is possible for the moment that they can challenge the big guns for the title. The current slip ups by title hopefuls keeps making them dream about the title. Missing glory days? Etincelles was among the first Rwandan clubs to participate in an African club tournament when they played in the Cup winners cup in 1989. They beat Vital'O FC from Burundi 2-1 on aggregate in the first qualifying stage before losing 1-0 to AS Kalamu from DR Congo. They also took part in the CAF Confederation Cup competition in 2011 and were bundled out 3-1 by Leopards of Congo Brazzaville. Now, considering the quality they have at their disposal, the club has a good chance of winning the league or at least the Peace Cup if they stay focused. ALSO READ: Ghanaian Iniesta joins Etincelles They face a litmus test on Sunday at Bugesera against APR FC in a game which could go a long way to define their title winning credentials. Just like Gasogi United are proving to be the surprise package this season, Etincelles are also in the fray and they could pull a magic trick in an attempt to pull off the ‘Leicester Miracle’. Clubs such as Aduana Stars Ghana (2008/2009), Leicester City England (2015/2016) and a host of others have done it previously by lifting league trophies at the expense of the big traditional big teams and Etincelles can follow their footsteps and bring Rubavu back on the Rwandan football map. Whatever the case maybe, with nine victories, six draws and just four defeats in 19 games so far, Etincelles have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that they can as well win the Rwandan League trophy.
