Rutsiro FC striker Yves Habimana has quickly transformed himself from the invisible man in front of goal to Rwanda Premier League top scorer.
The Rwandan forward was virtually an unknown quality before the season commenced but he has shot into the limelight, becoming the second top tier player to score a hat trick so far this season--only after Gorilla FC striker Onesme Twizerimana—when Rutsiro thrashed Mukura VS 3-0 at Umuganda Stadium on Sunday, November 23.
He now leads the scoring charts with 5 goals, a goal clear of Rayon Sports’ Fall Ngagne, Gasogi United’s Theodore Malipangou, Vision FC’s Onesme Twizerimana, Mukura’s Boateng Mensah and Amagaju FC’s Useni Seraphin who are all tied on goals.
Reflecting on his exploits against Mukura, he said, "when we got to the game, I could see all their defenders were weak, they were not able to stop me. I was confident I could score, and that's how it happened. I score the first, then the second and I realized it was possible to score even more,” he said.
Habimana was merely known in the recent months but he could be knocking to Amavubi doors seeking selection ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against South Sudan in December, if he keeps his goal scoring form.
"My goal now is to keep working hard because I have a chance to finish with many goals, I have to work hard because we have a good team, and I have to work hard to get a chance to be called up to the CHAN national team,” he added.
The victory over Mukura propelled Rutsiro to 8th place with 12 points.