Jean Bahufite has returned to Espoir basketball club as head coach, two months after he was reported to have the left the four-time reigning national league champions.

After weeks of negotiations with club authorities, the 43-year-old agreed to return to his old post at a club he played for in mid-2000s before taking over as head coach in 2012. Both parties had officially parted ways on November 19, 2015.

Bahufite returns to Espoir, days after the club lost to title rivals Patriots 79-66 last Friday at Amahoro indoor stadium.

He conducted his first training session on Monday and urged players to think beyond last week’s defeat and shift focus on the future.

"I am happy to be back at the club that we share a lot of history, I hope I will take it from where I left off and we win more titles together.

The frame of work is clear now, there is what I am supposed to do and there is what the club management should do in return, no more interferences,” Bahufite told Times Sport on Wednesday.

This year’s Heroes Day tournament has attracted a total of eight teams (5 male and 3 female) and will run from January 30 and February 1.

The men’s teams are; Patriots, Espoir, UGB, U18 Boys Team and APR while female teams include; APR, The Hoops Rwanda and Ubumwe.

During his first four-year spell, Bahufite helped the Nyamirambo-based club to four league titles and four play-off trophies as well as FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship in 2012.

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