Rayon Sports star Pierrot Kwizera was been named Rwanda’s Football Player of the Year at the inaugural Rwanda National Football League Awards held on Friday night at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) gardens in Remera.

The Burundian international won award after beating off competition from his teammate Savio Dominique Nshuti and former Mukura Victory Sports midfielder Muhadjiri Hakizimana.

"I am thankful for my teammates, fans and coach Djuma Masudi, if it was not for them, I would not be able to achieve this award. Nonetheless, we have to work hard next season. 

We did everything to win Peace Cup and we will keep the fighting spirit going into the next season," Kwizera said after the award ceremony.

The 25-year old attacking midfielder; who joined Rayon Sports in January 2015 from Tanzanian Premier League side, Simba SC, scored seven times in the league and was key to guiding the Blues to Peace Cup glory and second place in the league, behind APR FC.

The Bujumbura-born player has already committed his future at Rayon Sports, signing a new improved 2-year deal two weeks ago.

He added that, "I am really happy to be voted the player in Rwanda, and I look forward to win more by working hard for my team and score more goals. This award is for all Rayon Sports players." 

Rayon Sports dominated the event as they had several category winners with their coach Djuma Masudi winning the Revelation Coach of the Year award after beating APR’s Tunisian coach Nizar Khanfir and Etincelles FC coach Innocent Seninga, who recently moved to Police FC.

Rayon Sports and Amavubi winger Savio Nshuti Dominique edged teammate Djabel Manishimwe and Marines FC striker Blaise Itangishaka to the Promising Player of the Year award while the Best Goalkeeper of the Year award went to Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye.

"It is pleasure for me to win the award and I am thankful for the coaches, who helped me to be where I am today, including; Innocent Seninga, Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, Godfroid Okoko and Eric Nshimiyimana," Nshuti said.

Muhadjiri and Danny Usengimana shared Rwf1 million for finishing as joint-top scorers with 16 goals in the 2015/16 league season.

AS Kigali coach Eric Nshimiyimana beat Bugesera FC’s Ally Bizimungu and Mukura VS’s Okoko to the Best Coach of the season award.

Louis Hakizimana was voted Referee of the Year while Zephaniah Niyonkuru took the best Assistant Referee award and APR FC supporter; Mike Lagatte was named the best Personality of the Year. On the top of the awards, each winner pocketed Rwf500,000.

Full list of winners:

Football Player of the Year: Pierrot Kwizera (Rayon Sports)

Top Scorers:Hakizimana Muhadjiri (Mukura VS) -16 GoalsDanny Usengimana (Police FC)-16 Goals

Goalkeeper of the Year: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports)

Coach of the Year: Eric Nshimiyimana (AS Kigali)

Revelation Coach of the Year: Djuma Masudi (Rayon Sports)

Best Referee: Louis Hakizimana

Best Assistant Referee: Zephanie Niyonkuru

Promising Player of the Year: Savio Dominique Nshuti (Rayon Sports)

Team of the Year:Goalkeeper: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports)Defenders: Fitina Ombolenga (SC Kiyovu), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (Rayon Sports), Fiston Munezero (Rayon Sports) and Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR).Midfielders: Pierrot Kwizera (Rayon Sports), Ally Niyonzima (Mukura VS), Muhadjiri Hakizimana (Mukura VS), Savio Dominique Nshuti (Rayon Sports) and Iranzi Jean Claude (APR FC)Striker: Ismailia Diarra (Rayon Sports).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw