Association Sportive de Kigali (AS Kigali FC) have signed winger Charles Tibingana from league champions APR on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana confirmed the signing of the Rwanda international as well as two other new players; Pekeyake Tuyisenge and Frederick Ndaka, both free agents. “We always sign players who can contribute something to the club and we expect the new signings including Tibingana to add more strength to the squad for next season,” said Nshimiyimana. Tibingana came to the limelight during the 2011 Africa U-17 Youth Championship held in Kigali and later the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. He was later signed by APR in 2013 from Victoria University FC of Uganda; but he failed to nail down a regular spot in the first team. However, the Uganda-born right winger did not feature for the army side the whole of last season, along with midfielder Andrew Buteera as they still waited to be cleared to play as Rwandans. Tuyisenge joins as a free agent after leaving Vital’O FC of Burundi recently and had been widely expected to sign for his former club Rayon Sports but he ended up joining AS Kigali, who finished second in the league last season. Former Police and Etincelles FC player Ndaka also joins the club as a free agent from SC Villa, having joined the Ugandan club last year on a one- year deal. Meanwhile, Nshimiyimana disclosed that they are not yet done with their transfer dealings as they are also still in talks with other players including Jimmy Mbaraga from Musanze FC and Fabrice Kasereka (Moussa Mutuyimana)—he said these two deals are close to be finalised. The City of Kigali-sponsored club have recently lost three key players to other clubs, including Isaiah Songa, Patrick Umwungeri and Mouhamed Mushimiyimana (to Police FC) as well as out-of-contract Jack Cyubahiro. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
