Gicumbi FC target top four in league

National Football League side Gicumbi FC are targeting a top four finish in the 2015/16 campaign following their 6th-place finish, the highest in the club’s history last season. According to Gicumbi head coach, Emmanuel Ruremesha, their main target for the upcoming season is to pick up from last season’s achievement and break through into the top four. “Last season we finished in sixth position, which is the highest this club has achieved in the league, however, we cannot say that is the limit, we need to break into into the top four and challenge for titles,” Ruremesha told Times Sport in an exclusive interview on Sunday. Ruremesha recently extended his contract with the Gicumbi-based club by two years until end of the 2017/18 season. He added, “The board has asked me to strengthen the squad and so far we have four players who are doing tests with the club and probably by Thursday we shall know who to sign and who to let go.” In a separate interview, the club secretary general, Antoine Dukuzimana, revealed that the board gave Ruremesha a new contract because they were satisfied with his work in his first season and they (board) believe he is the right man to turn the club into a trophy-winning team. “He (Ruremesha) did a wonderful job last season and he deservedly earned a contract extension, the board didn’t think twice (in giving him a two-year contract). Our target now is to move forward and challenge for trophies,” said Dukuzimana. Dukuzimana disclosed that the club lost four key first team players to other teams, adding that there is need to sign a couple of new players ahead of the start of the new season on September 18. Players that have left the club include; defender Jean Marie Muvandimwe and Emanuel Bwanakweri to Police FC, Jean Pierre Mawombi (to Musanze FC) and Cedrick Mugenzi, who signed for Rayon Sports. The club have also renewed contracts of players like; Cyombo ‘Tresor’ Muftira, Jean de dieu Uwimana, Eugene Habyarimana, Amadi Hakorimana, Jean Marie Safari, Olivier Uwingabire who all have signed a one-year extension as well as Suleimani Mudeyi and Maurice Uzayisenga, who signed for two years. During the current transfer window, Ruremesha’s team have so far signed one player; Cedrick Abbas Byamungu from relegated Etincelles FC. Gicumbi finished on the 6th position with 36 points, two points adrift of fifth-placed Rayon Sports. editorial@newtimes.co.rw