Rayon in race to re-sign Sarpong
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Sarpong speaks to Times Sport from his home in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District, on Monday. The 24-year-old was pivotal in Rayon Sportsu2019 2018-19 league title winning campaign. / Craish Bahizi.

Michael Sarpong could return to Rayon Sports if negotiations go well with the club management as foreign teams also race to secure the Ghanaian striker’s signature.

Sarpong was shown exit doors from the club last month after terminating his contract allegedly for insulting club president Sadate Munyakazi in the media. The 24-year old suggested that Munyakazi was ‘not competent enough’ to lead Rayon.

However, Munyakazi has since been banned – by Rwanda football Association – from all football activities for six months and an ‘Advisory Committee’ composed of the club’s former presidents was set up to handle the team until his return.

Tanzania’s two biggest clubs Simba and Young Africans are some of the other teams pursuing Sarpong and have both started talks with the player’s representatives.

Speaking to Times Sport in an exclusive interview at his residence, in Kigali, on Tuesday, Sarpong confirmed that he and his agent have held talks with different clubs in the last three weeks but "there is nothing conclusive on the table yet. I am still club-less.”

The sensational marksman has been one of the most prolific strikers in domestic football since joining Rayon in September 2018. He was the club’s top-scorer with 16 goals, and second in the league, as the Blues clinched their 2018-19 Rwanda Premier League title.

"I enjoyed myself and my game at Rayon and whether I rejoin or not, I will always cherish the club and fans for having been part of the team’s history and what we achieved together.”

Sarpong, who was into the second and final year of his contract with Rayon before he was fired, says that he would be happy to be a Rayon Sports player again but "it will all depend on how the negotiations go.”

Earlier this year, Sarpong went for trials with China League One outfit Changchun Yatai FC but he could not complete the move as the club signed Nigerian Aaron Olanare instead.

He has scored six league goals in the 2019-10 season for Rayon who are second on the 16-team table with 51 points, six behind leaders APR.

The topflight league has been suspended since March 15 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.