Jean-Marie Ntagwabira, 34, is currently the senior coach of ATRACO FC and the assistant coach of the national team Amavubi. When you were young you dreamt of becoming… A professional footballer. My love for soccer started at a tender age of 5, and the only thing I thought would amaze in life was to become a footballer. The moment that changed your life was… In 1990 when I joined the army (RPF). From then, I considered my dream of becoming a professional footballer ruined. What was your best kiss like? Ha! Hahaha!! I had the best early this year (2008) with the sweetest chick I had never met before. At night what do you normally dream of? Nothing else but soccer! Because is what mostly occupies my mind. What you see when you look in the mirror… Ntagwabira: Jean-Marie, who is soon to be an incredible coach. Yes! Why not? This is my dream and I know will make it. Your favourite item of clothing… Sport garments. And in this case my favourite marks are Adidas and Nike. I wear sports outfits from Monday to Monday. You would not know it but you’re… Social and out going. You may not know it but you’re not… Proud and arrogant as many thing about me. I’m simply a coward character. All your money goes on? Nothing much because I’m not an extravagant character. But only in rare cases where it’s necessary, like helping the needy. If you have time to yourself? I sit in my sofa and watch football at home. Your most valuable possession? My watch. Sometimes I feel jealous when people look at it because I don’t what anyone to wear the exact one. The shop/ bar or restaurant you cannot walk passed? Chinese restaurant. There is one at Kicyiru, before Novotel Hotel. I promised myself never to pass it. Your greatest regret? In 2004, when I failed to take my club (APR FC) to the quarter finals. Were played against Ivory Coast and lost to them. When you were happiest? In 2004. The national team (Amavubi) qualified for the first time in history to play in the African Cup of Nations after beating Zamalek (an Egyptian football club). Again, in the same year, APR FC qualified for the semi-finals. I will never forget this year in the history of my career as a coach. Which living person do you most admire and why? My elder sister. She stepped into our mother’s shoes when she died. I honour and love her so much because she sacrificed a lot to make us who were are today. What do you hate most? Lazy and idle people. What is your favourite movie? God forbid! You’d never find me watching a movie. To whom would you wish to say sorry, and why? No one. I’m not a wrong character, and so I have never wronged anyone. What does love mean to you? I respect and treasure that word above all. Reason being, where there is true love, there is harmony. And where there is no love, there is hatred. Your life in seven words? Work, creativity, inertia, upheaval, revelation, serenity and excitement. Ends
