Azam Rwanda Premier League’s newly promoted  side AS Muhanga have signed seven new players as they prepare for a second stint in topflight football in the upcoming 2018-19 season.

In bid to avoid being relegated to second division league again, Abdul Mbarushimana’s Muhanga-based side beefed up their squad with goalie Patrick Isingizwe, from Espoir, as well as forward Adolphe Hakundukize and midfielder Noel Bizimana, from Amagaju.

Other new recruits include; veteran striker Andre Lomami, from SC Kiyovu, striker Yussuf Habimana, from Rayon Sports, left-back Obed Agaba and DR Congo-born midfielder Dieu Merci Lulihoshi Aksente, from Miroplast.

AS Muhanga will start their campaign against Police on October 20 at Muhanga Stadium.

"The target is to bring stability to the team in the first division, and fight to move from the status of a participating team to a competing team. We are in topflight football to stay,” AS Muhanga coach told Saturday Sport on Friday.

He further noted that, "Building a strong team takes time, but my goal is to have a team that challenge for the league title and with time, we are going to get there.”

Former Peace Cup finalists AS Muhanga, along with Intare FC, earned promotion to Azam Rwanda Premier League in July but the latter withdrew from the championship in August and were replaced by Gicumbi after edging Pepiniere and Sorwathe in playoffs last week.

The Muhanga district-sponsored side return to topflight league two years after the club’s relegation to lower division 2016.

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