Second division side, Sports Empowerment Academy (Sec) will send five players to play for Portuguese fourth division side ADFA (Associação Desportiva de Fornos de Algodres). According to Sec Academy chairman, Augustin Munyandamutsa, the players will fly out to Portugal next month, most likely on September 25. The five players include; Isonga goalkeeper Steven Ntalibi and midfielder Shadad Nsengayire, APR central defender Hertier Turatsinze and striker Isaac Muganza as well as AS Kigali defender Soter Kayumba. All the players have been on loan from Sec academy. Munyandamutsa revealed, “Actually we (Sec academy) have a two-year contract with them (ADFA), which can be renewed depending on the interests of both parties.” He says that the objective of sending these five youngsters to a fourth division Portuguese club is to expose Rwandan players to European football in the lower leagues from where they have the chance to catch the eyes of bigger clubs. The ultimate objective is to take the ADFA to the second division in the next two seasons. The team will be jointly managed by ADFA and Sec Academy. “If the team reaches division three next season, SEC will be required to send additional players to reinforce it as we are looking to reach division two, (professional level),” explained Munyandamutsa. To him, SEC wants to use this team (ADFA) as a gate way to Europe. From the ADFA, Rwandan players will be able to get in the European market. The Kicukiro-based academy has already sent Blaise Itangishaka to the Aspire Academy in Senegal and Amavubi defender Salomon Nirisarike to Belgium second tier side Royal Antwerp.
