No Hurry

APR Fc are in no hurry to raid the transfer market while their rivals Atraco Fc have continued laying off more players but Rayon Sports have remained tightlipped in preparation for next season.

The champions are known for their uncompromising attitude when it comes to signing new players before the start of every season they are ever ready to do all it takes to land their new targets.

Next season, by every aspect you looked at it, is going to be yet another testing one for everyone connected to the club in terms of what they are able to achieve on and off the field.

Recruitment and Achievement

Last season, the military side, known for their free-spending spree during off season transfer markets brought in several new faces including new coaching staff.

Andy Mfutila was brought in to replace sacked Capt Jean Marie Ntagwabira and with him, he came with four players from his old club St. Eloi Lupopo.

APR managers are believed to have spent quite a fortune to lure Kabange and Mbuyu Twite [the two twin brothers], Jeannot Witakenge as well as Lema Mampuya.

The new faces played a significant part in helping the club to an unprecedented quadruple that included the Cecafa/Kagame Club Championship, Primus National League, Amahoro Cup and the Primus Cup.

Despite all that, the record nine-time national league champions only reached the second round of the Caf MTN Champions League preliminary phase after falling to Togo’s Maranatha de Fiokpo in controversial circumstances.

Ideally, the continued failure to qualify for the lucrative group stages could force the club management to strengthen further their club with continental players with a bit of continental experience.

During the Cecafa/Kagame Club Championship APR was eyeing St. George’s Ghanaian striker Uche Ukwa however the deal didn’t materialize as the Ethiopians were reportedly asking for $ 50,000 for his services.

"Apart from Djabil (Mutaranbirwa) from Kiyovu, we haven’t really been into the transfer market yet,” noted one top club official who requested not to be named on genuine grounds.

He added, "As a matter of fact, we don’t see the need to rush into the market. We still have plenty of time before the new season starts.”

The official noted that currently the players and the coaching staff are on holiday but did not say when they are expected back to start training.

Asked about reports that some players deemed as surplus to the requirements have been laid off, the official said, "That’s not true, because no player(s) has been released (as yet).”

"How do you release your players before you are sure of their replacements,” he wondered, before adding that, "We shall give you (press) all the details of our plans for next season in three weeks time.”

He laughed off speculations linking the club to a sensational big money move for Labama Bokota from archrivals Rayon.
Atraco have continued to lay-off several of their experienced players from the last two seasons as part of the club’s restructuring for the new campaign.

The latest to be shown the exit door are Rwandan international defenders Bonaventure Hategekimana ‘Gangi’, Omar Hitimana as well as striker Hassan Mwinyi and goalkeeper Rashid Muhimpundu.

The four follows the first group that was released days after the end of the last campaign. The group included Ugandan imports, midfielders Muhamed Byansi, Molly Byekwaso, defender Godfrey Katerega, striker Martin Muwanga and goalkeeper Morgan Ojok.

After a dream start in their debut season in topflight football, which saw them finish one point behind the champions APR and losing to the same side in the Amahoro Cup final, Atraco went a step down in the next season, this time finishing third, three points adrift of APR and Rayon who finished second.

Ends