Lt. Col. Bahizi Marines FC are eager to grab their first league win today when they host stubborn Sunrise FC at Tam Tam ground in Rubavu district. After their opening match 2-0 defeat against Rayon Sports at home, Marines are enthusiastic to put up a good fight today to record their first three points this season. Speaking to Times Sport in an interview, Marines head coach Abdul Karim Nduhirabandi ‘Coka’ explained that they lost their first game to Rayon Sports because they were a better team but he revealed that they have corrected the mistakes they made and are keen on winning today. “I have a good squad although many are new arrivals and still need some time to adapt to our style of play but we hope they make a difference today,” said Nduhirabandi. In a recent separate interview with the club president Lt. Col. Theodomir Bahizi, he revealed that the club is looking at maintaining their long-term project of developing and nurturing young talented players in Rwanda to realize their football dreams of playing high profile football. “We don’t compete with other clubs to buy expensive and experienced players because our main intention is to raise the young and talented players,” said Bahizi. He added that the new players who joined in the transfer window from the second Division are young. “Many of our players signed for other clubs at the end of last season so we gave an opportunity to the young players from the second division to prove themselves,” added Bahizi. The new arrivals include left winger Olivier Dusabimana (Interforce), central midfielder Abdul Nahimana (Nyagatare), striker Claude Hitimana (Esperance), central defender Jean BaptisteTemahagari (free agent), right back Eric Karema, goalkeeper Claude Habinshuti and striker Patrick Amani all from Stella Marice. The Rubavu based clubs Marines and Etincelles have been a source of admirable and outstanding football players to both local clubs and the national team hence the district nickname “Rwanda’s Brazil”.
