Kagame wields axe on Kayinamura, Ntazinda

Rwanda’s most successful football club APR has sacked its Secretary General Aime Kayinamura and long serving team manager Capt. Eric Ntazinda.

According to an inside source, the duo was fired on Tuesday following a misunderstanding with the club management.

Late last year, there was news of Ntazinda’s sacking however it came to pass as he continued with his duties.

"I have been relieved of my duties at APR but I will continue to serve this club because I’m committed to its cause,” Ntazinda said, refusing to comment on reasons behind his sacking.

"I have not been informed of my sacking and I think I’m still holding my position,” Kayinamura reluctantly said.

When contacted, APR’s chairman Brig. Gen Alex Kagame confirmed the development and didn’t specify the reasons behind the sacking.

"They had to go aside and take a rest because it was a decision from the club.”

"Ntazinda will be redeployed by Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) while Kayinamura will go back and attend to his businesses,” Kagame said.

Kagame further added that the club is not planning any possible replacements for the duo.

Kayinamura has been the acting Secretary General for nearly six months after former player Abdul Sibomana resigned the position to pursue further studies in Belgium mid last year.

In his reign as club manager, Ntazinda who ascended to the powerful position in 2003 has worked under various coaches at the military side including Jean Marie Ntagwabira, Eric Nshimiyimana, DR Congo pair of Andre Mfutila, Jean Desire David Mukesa Katotola a.k.a Chicco, Cameroonian Jean Pierre Akono, Clarence Muvara and current Dutch duo of Rene Feller and Eric Paske making him the longest serving member of the club’s technical bench.

The youthful serviceman was behind the transfers of several players like Zambian striker Joseph Bwalya, Cameroonians Saddou Boubakary and Abbas Rassou, Ugandan trio Vincent Kayizi, Alimansi Kadogo, Abubaker Tabula, Kenyans Titus Mulama and Mark Sirengo as well as former Tanzanian international Boniface Pawasa.

Ntazinda is also credited for having recruited several current players like Kabange Twite, Mbuyu Twite, Ndjoli Bokungu, Haruna Niyonzima and Moses Odhiambo.

With six years in charge at the military side, Ntazinda lifted two Cecafa Club Championship titles in 2004 and 2007, guided APR to the third round of the African Champions league in 2004, guided APR to the second round of the Confederation Cup in 2004, and lifted four league trophies and three Amahoro Cup titles.

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