Gicumbi FC last weekend beat Etoile de l’Est 1-0 to move second in the mini league to restore their hopes of returning to the topflight league next season. The club was initially hit by a financial crisis which prompted players to protest against reporting to the club until their salary arrears are paid. The situation affected Gicumbi’s results during their first two promotion playoffs games where the team managed just one point out of a possible six, putting the club on the brink of staying in the second division. However, the club management made some tremendous efforts to bring the group back in the mood to return in the race for a promotion to the topflight league. The team went on to win two consecutive games and a victory over Vision FC on Sunday would see them promoted back to the Rwanda Premier League after three seasons in the second division. But what has the club done to keep their topflight promotion hopes alive? “Some good changes are visible in this team, the boys have given their 100% in the last two games and now the teams look to be on the verge of qualifying for the topflight league. It’s our main goal now,” club secretary general Antoine Dukuzimana told Weekend Sport. “We held good conversations with them (players), we reminded them of our ambitions and we showed them progress the club is making in addressing the arrears issue. We promised them nice bonuses if they win the remaining games while we’re looking on how we can sort the issue permanently and they have responded positively,” he added. READ ALSO: Gicumbi back in topflight promotion race as Vision upset Amagaju READ ALSO: Gicumbi players threaten to boycott Vision FC clash over unpaid salaries Gicumbi FC currently sit in the second place of the Top Four mini league with seven points, level on points with third-placed Amagaju and three behind leaders Etoile de l’Est. They will face Vision FC in their final playoff game on Sunday at Mumena Stadium, knowing that a victory would seal their ticket to the topflight league regardless of the outcome from Saturday’s crunch clash between Amagaju and Etoile de l’Est at Nyagisenyi stadium. “Unlike the past games, everything is in our hands now. We will go there (at Mumena stadium) to win the match...nothing else.” “We have to win our game regardless of the results from the Amagaju-Etoile game and we think that’s the only comfortable way to qualify,” Dukuzimana further noted.
