AS Kigali sign Rayon Sports’ defender Tubane

National football league side, AS Kigali, have completed their ninth summer signing with the acquisition of centre-back James Tubane from Rayon Sports on a two-year deal. The 23-year-old Rwanda international re-joins the City of Kigali-sponsored side on a free transfer after helping Rayon to the 2016 Peace Cup title, having joined them in 2014. He becomes the 9th player to sign for Eric Nshimiyimana’s side ahead of the 2016/17 season, which is scheduled to kick off next month. “Tubane is one of the best defenders in the national league; he has all the experience and abilities to inspire AS Kigali to achieve our targets in the coming season,” said AS Kigali team manager, Joseph Nshimiye. Tubane joins other new signings that include; goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli, defender Ismael ‘Kodo’ Nshutinamagara, midfielder Tumaine ‘Titi’ Ntamuhanga as well as strikers Bernabe Mubumbyi and Michel Ndahinduka, all signing one-year contracts from APR FC. Others are; former APR attacking midfielder Kabange Twite, Ugandan striker Karim Ndugwa and midfielder Alex Nkomeje from Sunrise FC. However, AS Kigali have lost six of their first team players including star striker Ernest Sugira to AS Vita Club and team captain Jean Pierre Akili Mabula, who joined Australia semi-professional side, Sydney Olympic FC. Others are striker Onesme Twizerimana, midfielder Mohamed Kabura, goalkeeper Anselme Sozera and midfielder Muhadjiri Hakizimana, who all joined league champions APR. editorial@newtimes.co.rw