Former Rayon Sports center-back Iddi Nshimiyimana is appealing for assistance to get appropriate treatment on his injured left knee that has kept him on the sideline for over a year.

The 26-year-old Nshimiyimana last kicked the ball in anger on August 5, 2014 during training with Rayon Sports as the team was preparing for the 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup staged in Kigali and was won by Sudanese side, Al-Merrikh.

Upon injuring his knee, the former Etincelles FC defender was dropped from the CECAFA squad and was later released by the club few weeks before the start of the 2014/15 season.

"It’s a pity that they (Rayon Sports) released me immediately after picking up the injury, at least I deserved to be treated first, but they didn’t. It’s been over a year on the sidelines but I believe I will get back and carry on my playing career. I have not lost hope,” Nshimiyimana told Saturday Sport.

He also disclosed that recently he wrote to the local football governing body, (FERWAFA) asking for medical assistance and is waiting for a response.

When contacted, FERWAFA secretary general, Olivier Mulindahabi said he is not aware of the player’s letter but promised that, "I will look into my file and if I find it (letter), we shall see what to do for him.

Several players such as Jean Claude Ndoli, Aime Regis Ingabire and Farouk Ruhinda have benefitted from medical partnerships between FERWAFA and both the Algerian and Moroccan Football Associations.

Currently, two players, Djamar Mwiseneza and Evode Ngabitsinze (both knee) are in Morocco receiving treatment after undergoing surgery last week.

Nshimiyimana played for the Blues for two seasons from 2012 to 2014. He joined the Blues in the summer of 2012 from Rubavu-based Etincelles FC where he started his career in 2009.