Kiyovu Sports striker Ernest Sugira has opened up on club’s stumbling performance is not down to the players but the club itself

The Green Baggies have had a poor start to the new season, losing three games and winning just once in what seems to be one of their poorest start to the Rwanda Premier League in the last five years.

The club is serving a transfer ban from the world football governing body (FIFA) over failing to pay former players who were made to leave the club without being paid their dues.

The existing transfer ban has now restricted Kiyovu SC from using its new signings during the ongoing league campaign, forcing the club to start the new league season with just 14 players.

Times Sport understands that the club is in deep financial crisis which is hindering their ambitions to not only cover its outstanding debts to their former players but also new signings whose signing on fees remain unpaid, according to reports.

Sugira, who joined the Mumena-based club in August, is among players who can’t play for Kiyovu because the club can’t register them due to the existing transfer ban.

The Rwanda international pointed out that players aren’t playing out of their will and they will be up for the task when the club honours its financial obligations.

"The problem is not from us, players. If the club solves the financial problem and pay us, I think everyone will perform," Sugira told Times Sport.

"We do regular training as Kiyovu Sports players with contract. I do not play just like the others; we are waiting for the financial problems to be solved."

Kiyovu were the second best force in the Rwanda Premier League for two seasons as they lost the league title to APR in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons by a whisker.

However, deep financial constraints has now engulfed the team and, with the club now short of squad, they could end up in relegation if things don't improve,