Patriots Basketball Club have made the biggest coup in recent history by signing Espoir captain Aristide Mugabe on one-year contract ahead of the 2015/2016 season, which kicks off on November 27.

Mugabe leaves Espoir after five years where he helped the Nyamirambo-based club to win league titles in 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 as well as the FIFA Africa Zone V Club Championships in 2012.

"Yes I will play for Patriots next season,” Mugabe confirmed, adding that, "I am leaving Espoir because I needed a fresh challenge and I think Patriots can offer me that.”

Mugabe featured for Jean Bahufite’s Espoir from 2009; he joined CSK in 2010 for one year before returning to Espoir for a second spell.

The Rwanda national team captain won the Zone V title in Kampala in 2012 and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. 

Mugabe made his league debut for Rusizi Basketball Club in 2007; he has played at three Afro-basket Championships in 2011 in Madagascar and 2013 in Ivory Cost.

By signing Mugabe, one of the best players in the national championship, Cyrille Kalima’s Patriots have boosted their chances of winning the regular season league title and playoffs trophy, which they lost to Espoir last season.

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