SAMSON Babua, Nigeria-born striker for Rwanda Premier League side Sunrise, has said that the current 2019/2020 season will be his last with the Nyagatare-based outfit and is open to new offers. Champions Rayon Sports, who parted ways with Ghanaian marksman Michael Sarpong last month, are reportedly leading the race to secure Babua’s signature. Speaking to this publication on Thursday, Babua revealed that he had already informed the club in writing about his ‘hard decision’ to end his stint with them to make way for new challenges. The 26-year old, who told Times Sport in a past interview that he dreamed of representing Rwanda in international football, joined Sunrise at the beginning of the 2016-17 season and has been one of the club’s most influential players. This is not a time for reproaches. It was a very hard decision to make, but it was at the same time the best for me. After four years with Sunrise, this is a good moment to look for a new challenge,” said Babua. “I would definitely love to play for Rayon, they are a big club with great history. But, at the moment, there is nothing to announce about any transfer. I am focused and committed to completing my contract at Sunrise.” According to reports, Rayon are not the only potential destination for Babua as local rivals SC Kiyovu and AS Kigali have also expressed interest in the talisman. After 24 match rounds into the 2019/2020 league season, Babua leads the top-scorers chart with 15 goals, two ahead of Bugesera forward Hussein ‘Tchabalala’ Shaban. The league has been on hold since March 15 as one of the measures to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The championship will not resume until September following the Ministry of Sports’ announcement on Thursday extending the suspension of sports in Rwanda. Sunrise are seventh on the 16-team table with 31 points. APR lead with 57 points, six ahead of second-placed Rayon, while Police (44) and Mukura (41) are third and fourth, respectively.
