Youngsters impress skipper Karekezi

AMAVUBI Star skipper Olivier Fils Karekezi was pleased with the performance of the young players against Namibia in an international friendly played on Sunday in Windhoek which ended 0-0.National team head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic used only home based players, the majority being youngsters from the U-20 team, and his skipper Karekezi, who was left out for the game, is optimistic about the future.The former APR captain is currently on holiday after signing for Tunisian side Club Athlétique Bizerti last month. He is expected to officially join his new club on December 19 but in the meantime, he’s training with the military side.Despite missing out on the trip to Namibia mainly due to lack of match fitness, the 29-year old striker was impressed with the way the youngsters took up the challenge. “I was impressed with young players and how they played against a good Namibia team. It shows that the future of Rwanda’s football is bright,” Karekezi told Times Sport in an exclusive interview.On why he was left out of the team, he said, “I talked with coach before the team started training and we agreed that because I have not played any competitive matches this season, I was not in the right shape physically.”Big dealAt Bizerte, the Amavubi skipper will replace Libya forward Ahmed Zouai, who joined another club in the United Arab Emirates. Karekezi’s signing has been described as a big deal’’.“I am waiting for December 19 before I join my new team officially but in the meantime, am training with APR to keep my body in good shape. “The team has changed the coach and I was told to wait until a new coach comes in. I do not know when (the new coach in coming) but I cannot go for now because the club is not ready to take care of my family before my contract starts,” the Amavubi skipper explained.Karekezi was the top scorer with 14 goals last year in Primus League. Karekezi started his career in APR before he signed for Helsingborgs IF in 2005. In January 2008, he transferred to Norwegian side Hamarkameratene. In March 2010, he joined Swedish second division club Östers IF in a two-year deal and last year, he took a pay cut to play for his former club APR. With more than 46 caps, he has scored 24 goals for Amavubi.In Tunisia, Karekezi will join national team mate Meddie Kagere, who is playing his professional football with Espérance Sportive de Zarzis for which he signed a two-year deal.

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Youngsters impress skipper Karekezi