AS Kigali's hopes of lifting the Rwanda Premier League for the first time in their history ended in disappointment as they could not hold their mettle at the top of the table after the first round. Erstwhile president of the club, Fabrice Shema was in high spirits before the 2022/23 season began after the club spent over half a billion of francs on the transfer market in a fresh push to winning their first league title after establishing themselves as Peace Cup masters over the past few years. Shema was optimistic of success and even went on to state he would make the City of Kigali-sponsored club one of the most feared teams on the continent. His assertions seemed to be a mirage as the club could not even finish in the top three. Shema resigned from his position two months ago citing personal reasons, leaving the club in a dilemma of what the future looks like without him at the helm. ALSO READ: AS Kigali will perform even better next season, vows club president A once vibrant club who were constant competitors in the CAF Confederation Cup though they never reached the Group stages, the 2021/2022 Peace Cup winners could afford any big player they wanted during the post-Shema era and players could only start to consider their future elsewhere. Player exodus Now, a number of AS Kigali’s top players have left while others are on the verge of the club’s exit door in an attempt to save their careers at an ambitious club. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari moved to TS Galaxy in the South African ABSA Premier League as a free agent. Olivier Niyonzima also completed his move to Kiyovu Sports after his contract expired while Thierry Manzi signed for Liyan side Al Ahli Tripoli. Shabani Hussein Tshabalala, arguably AS Kigali’s top scorer since he joined the club in 2020, is reportedly in talks over a move to Libyan topflight league while Fabrice Mugheni also departed the club after his deal expired. ALSO READ: AS Kigali boss Shema resigns The future of Cameroonian attacker Man Ykre, Uganda's Edward Satulo also looks uncertain while more players are stranded out of knowledge of what the future has in store for them. They could still leave before the window ends as well. What does the future hold for AS Kigali? Sadly, enough, AS Kigali have not yet announced any signing. They have been very quiet in the transfer window with less than a month to the 2023/24 Rwanda Premier League kick off. Head coach Andre Casa Mbungo has committed his future at the club on a two-year deal but, with the current situation, the tactician could find it difficult to battle with big guns in Rayon Sports, APR FC and Kiyovu who have reinforced their squads before the new season begins. The coaching seat could turn hot anytime as the club shows no signs of firing a warning to rivals by making big signings that can help the team thrive next season. Administrative crisis With no management, AS Kigali’s future remains in the balance. The fact that the club is yet to elect a new president following the resignation of Fabrice Shema remains put players in a dilemma and football pundits alike. As a result, it is seemingly affecting the club’s transfer business. Once a president is elected and he or she forms a board, there will be a definitive direction in administering the club. But things have remained still since the club postponed it general assembly on Do the needful! Arguably, AS Kigali has for the recent years established itself among big forces in Rwandan football, having won both the Peace Cup and Super Cup three times apiece. Great measures must be put in place to revive the club before things totally turn worse. Clubs all over the world go through such turbulent times but the ability to bounce back makes them even greater.
