With the news that Jimmy Gatete will be making his international comeback when the national team is summoned, questions have been raised about the striker’s ability to raise the much respect that he commanded yesteryears in Rwanda and beyond.

Of recent the Rayon striker has rediscovered his touch that made him the most feared box predator on the local scene and in the region.

He’s very quick and beats players with his pace with tricks and cleverness. His ideal ball is not the one to his feet so he can take players on and of recent he has learnt to track back, a thing that he couldn’t do before however as time is running fast on him it may be a risky business.

The absence of Gatete has left the burden of scoring goals for the national team on the shoulders of Labama Bokota and Said Abedi. And the duo has not disappointed in the world cup qualifiers.

However, in case of injury and suspensions the national team will be short of options going into the crucial stage of the qualifiers as Bobo Bolla can’t be relied on.    

Should Gatete be pushed back into the team playing as a lone striker with Karekezi helping him out?

With Said Abedi clubless at the moment and that could mean being unfit I believe that Branko Tucak should forge a partnership of Bokota and Gatete to try and get something for the national team. Gatete is a big game player who on a good day can deliver.

What Tucak and Co.  should do is to help him restore to his former confidence and I believe the team’s skipper Oliver  Karekezi should have a big hand in helping his partner in crime during their time playing together, retire on a high note. 

Giving Gatete a number of games in the national colours will be the ideal way of help him to get back to his best and he should be penciled in for the team that will be heading to Kampala for Senior Challenge Cup as away of giving him the much need match practice.

Triumph, fail, or stagnate this is not a eulogy because talented footballers don’t seize. Yet Gatete, as we all know on the brink while still at APR, uninspired, and for almost two seasons largely to injury, things looked bleak.  

Then came last season’s Kigali’s biggest derby (APR vs Rayon), and that was the game that seemed to bring the striker back into the national team picture.

He defended, roamed the midfield and scored the equalizer much to the amusement of the passionate crowd. 

He scored crucial goals during the 2004 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifications which saw Amavubi Stars team reach its first ever CAN finals.

The most celebrated goal in Rwandan history is presumably his goal against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro stadium in March 2003 which led to Rwanda’s 1-0 win and handed them their ticket to 2004 Tunis CAN finals.

Gatete also scored against a Super Eagles defence that boasted key players like Everton’s Joseph Yobo of Everton to score arguably his greatest goal during the 2006 CAN qualifiers at Amahoro.

However, the once feared as the most dangerous striker in the country, Gatete has been out of favor since being released by APR a year ago.

His rich form during the preseason has put him back in frame for a recall to the national team for the third and final 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifying round.

With no doubt I’m for Gatete to be recalled!

Ends