National league reigning champions APR FC will continue to be in the hands of assistant coach Yves Rwasamanzi as the search for a new head coach continues, according to club secretary general, Adolphe ‘Camarade’ Kalisa.
National league reigning champions APR FC will continue to be in the hands of assistant coach Yves Rwasamanzi as the search for a new head coach continues, according to club secretary general, Adolphe ‘Camarade’ Kalisa.
Speaking to Times Sport on Thursday, Kalisa said that Rwasamanzi will continue to work with the team alongside the team fitness coach Didier Bizimana and goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha.
Rwasamanzi guided the army side to the inaugural ‘AS Kigali Pre-season Tournament’ trophy after defeating DR Congo’s AS Vita Club 1-0 in the final earlier this month.
"We have not started the process of looking for a new head coach. We know we need a new coach, but we have to be patient and look for the right person, who will fit in our system,” said Kalisa.
Kalisa added that, "Yves will continue to be in charge of the team as we continue preparations ahead of the start of the new season.”
The officials also revealed that APR are not planning to play any more pre-season matches because the players have already been involved in eight (pre-season) matches, including five in the AS Kigali Tournament and three in the East Africa Military Games.
"We need someone who will raise the level of our team, especially in CAF Champions League and CECAFA Kagame Cup; so hopefully, we will sign a new coach at the right time. We are not in a rush because the assistant coach is doing a good job,” Kalisa explained.
Rwasamanzi joined the reigning league champions as assistant coach to Gilbert ‘Yaoundé’ Kanyankore, who was sacked less than two weeks into the job after the army side failed to win the East Africa Military Games football competition last month.
Kalisa said that now they are looking for the best way to prepare the team before the national league kickoff on October 14.
The defending champions will be looking to win a record-extending 17th league title when the 2016/17 season gets underway on October 14 – the league champions will earn Rwf25m.
The winner will also get an additional Rwf3million for being in the top two, Rwf2million for coming in top four and another Rwf2million for coming in top eight on top of Rwf10m facilitation money for all 16 league teams. Last season, APR bagged Rwf10m for winning the league.
Since 2010, APR FC have had ten coaches, they include; Erik Paske, Ernie Brandts, Eric Nshimiyimana, Andreas Spier, Vincent Mashami, Ljubomir Petrovic, Dusan Duje Suljagic, Emmanuel Rubona, Nizar Khanfir and Kanyankore.
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