“Success is achieved through having the same understanding, objectives, focus and purpose.” Most of these players have won trophies either here in Rwanda or abroad, they are experienced, they understand how winning a trophy feels like and what it requires both physically and mentally. Nothing is free, we only need to work hard to make history as the first Police FC team to win the league. That needs sacrifice and every player must be a captain We have the weapons, the support of the leadership and it's now up to us as a team to have one objective towards a successful season. The above were the exact words that Vincent Mashami said during his unveiling as Police FC new head coach on August 17, 2022. The former Amavubi boss took charge of the club , replacing Scottish gaffer Frank Elliott Nuttall who was sacked at the end of last season for poor performance. ALSO READ: Mashami appointed as Police head coach Mashami’s first days on the Police touchline weren’t quite as easy as some anticipated as his employers had high expectations of him becoming the man behind the club’s major transformation. He came under incessant pressure at the start of the season after losing three straight league games, losing 1-0 to each of Sunrise and Rayon Sports and 2-0 to Gasogi, leading the team to the bottom of the league table without a single point and while his men also struggled to score a goal. He saved his job with a 2-1 win over Bugesera on October 13, 2022 after which they went six games unbeaten before losing to Gorilla FC. The club's form became patchy getting to the end of the first round and they initially struggled when the second round began in January. They labored to defeat Gorilla 3-2 before losing 2-1 to relegation-threatened Espoir in Muhanga. ALSO READ: Police shock APR as Bigirimana winner propel Kiyovu to league summit Mashami has since turned things around at Police FC who have been in fine form in the second round, earning plaudits from a number of football pundits and commentators who tip him to be the best coach of the second round of the Rwanda Premier League. Such an admiration didn’t come by surprise as the former Amavubi inspired Police FC to crucial victories against AS Kigali, Rayon Sports and APR. He first beat AS Kigali 2-1, then thrashed Rayon Sports 4-2 before pulling a surprise 2-1 victory over title chasers APR FC Saturday, April 22 at Kigali Pele Stadium, a result that blew the military side’s hopes of winning the league title after surrendering the top spot to Kiyovu. A victory over APR was Police first ever after failing in their last 14 attempts. Until Mashami changed he story, the law enforcers had lost seven times at the hands of APR while the played out a draw seven times as well. From Amavubi nightmare to Police FC revival Under the tutelage of Mashami, players such as red hot striker Didier Mugisha have been on fire, netting nine goals in total with seven of them coming in the second round. He built the team around senior players like Muhajiri Hakizimana, Eric Rutanga, skipper Dominique Savio Nshuti and veteran Jean Baptiste Mugiraeza whose experience helped him a lot in driving the team's transformation in all aspects. As players who played for him during his time at the national team, they quickly adapted to his style. It is evidently clear that Mashami's philosophy and influence are making a great impact in the team's results based on the club's recent form, especially during the second round of the league. Police have now entered the top four with 45 points and with four games left to end the season, they can even move further up. There were divided opinions on Mashami’s capabilities as the national team coach, with the majority supporting the idea of sacking him after they lost confidence in capabilities. The stats weren’t speaking for him. A few or none would go against appointing a home grown coach for the Rwanda job but Mashami failed to prove his worth when given a chance just like the likes of Aliou Cisse and Walid Regragui had done it with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. But even after he was shown an exit door out of the national team, Mashami had no plan to quit at all. All he is achieving at Police now, turning the club into one of the most feared teams in the domestic league, is no doubt aimed at reminding Rwandans that there has been no magic in his success. That way, Rayon Sports survived a late comeback scare against Mashami’s men and held on to a 3-2 victory in the Peace Cup quarter final first leg. But Francis Haringingo is aware that the club is far from finishing the job. With just one season, the tactician has fired a warning to rivals that Police could be among title contenders next season. Given the job he has done during the second round, the former APR and Bugesera tactician has established among the best coaches, if not the best coach, in the league so far this season. A few would snub him to win a coach of the year award even if his side doesn't win the league.
