We are counting on Katauti's experience - Espoir coach

National football league side Espoir FC are hoping to make better use of the experience of their new signing Hamad 'Katauti' Ndikumana in the forthcoming season which is scheduled to start on October 18.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

National football league side Espoir FC are hoping to make better use of the experience of their new signing Hamad ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana in the forthcoming season which is scheduled to start on October 18.

Katauti, left, played for Burundian side Vital'O during the Cecafa Kagame Cup held in Kigali last month. (T. Kisambira)

The former Amavibi skipper, who signed a one year contract with Rusizi-based side last month, is regarded as one of the greats in Rwandan football.

The 35-year-old captained the national team on its debut at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

"He has been in camp with the team for the last three weeks. He is still capable and is a good leader on pitch, and I’m already impressed. We will surely be counting on his experience and vast knowledge of the game in the upcoming campaign,” Espoir head coach Alphonse Gatera told Times Sport on Sunday.

He also noted that apart from direct contribution to the team, young players will also learn from Katauti’s experience.

Last season, Espoir FC finished sixth in the 14-team league table and will be looking to storm into big four of the forthcoming campaign.

The Red and White outfits, also have in their ranks veteran striker Said Abedi Makasi and defender Erias Ntaganda, two players who played together with Katauti at the 2004 Afcon finals tournament ten years ago.

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