BUGESERA FC has signed APR FC goalie Olivier Kwizera on a one year deal as the club prepares for the National Football League, which will kick off next month.

The club chairman, Jean Claude Gahigi, confirmed the development, adding that the aim of the club is to finish in the top four.

"We have signed him. He is young and has potential to become a top goalkeeper,” Gahigi said. Kwizera’s signing is part of the club’s strategy to strengthen the squad ahead of a tough campaign next season.

"We have signed one of the best players in the country and believe he will help us achieve our target in the new season,” Gahigi told Times Sport.

"We will be looking to finish in the top four positions. Last year, we finished in seventh position, so our aim is to improve this year,” Gahigi added.

Kwizera still had one year left on his four-year deal with APR and was being lined up for a professional move to South African ABSA Premiership side Maritzburg United, but the move didn’t materialize. 

The Amavubi stopper joined APR in 2013 from Isonga FC and has been the club’s undisputed first choice between the sticks for the last two seasons.

He also won the Peace Cup with the army side in 2014 and reached the final of the 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup final in Kigali, which APR lost to Sudanese side, Al-Merreikh.

The club has also signed other players including Bertrand Iradukunda and Bievenue Mugenzi from APR, left-back Mwemere Ngirinshuti from Police FC, veteran centre back Aimable ‘Mambo’ Rucogoza from Gicumbi FC and right back Yves Manishimwe from Mukura Victory Sports.

Former junior wasps coach, Isonga and APR coach Vincent Mashami, 34, is the coach. He replaced Ali Bizimungu, who spent one season with the Nyamata-based outfit and guided the club to finish in a respectable 7th position with 37 points.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw