During the 2012/13 season, a 20-year-old Rwandan defender Salomon Nirisarike made headlines when Belgian side Royal Antwerp paid Isonga FC €75,000 (over Rwf70,000,000) to secure his services.

It was a major breakthrough for Nirisarike who had shown his football prowess in the domestic league at such a young age, hence attracting various interests from a host of foreign clubs.

Nirisarike was the youngster that every ambitious club could have wished to have in their fold. He was a naturally-gifted centre back with great defensive abilities. He could also pop up and score some crucial goals when it mattered most.

The Rubavu-born player made an instant impact in Belgium, playing an integral part of the Royal Antwerp team in the country's second tier league where he had two successful seasons.

Nirisarike made 37 starts in In 44 appearances, scoring three goals and went on to become transfer target of a host of Belgian topflight teams.

Royal Antwerp were keen on extending his deal but he had already decided to move to Sint Truidense in the Jupiler Pro League as a free agent as he was looking to embark on a new career challenge elsewhere.

He went on to make 18 league appearances providing one assist.

He moved to Tubize where he enjoyed another fantastic two seasons during which he played 92 league games, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

His contract with Tubize expired on June 30, 2019 and he moved to Armenia to try something new out of Belgium.

Sadly, his three-year stay in the country where he played for Pyunik Yerevan and FC Urartu was not a successful one.

Nirisarike was released by Urartu in June 2022 as they sought to get rid of the majority of their foreign players. Rwanda international spent an entire season now without a team and lack of club football has since seen him lose his place in the national team.

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His situation is getting from bad to worse considering the fact that he is in his 30's and the more he becomes inactive, the higher the chance of not getting a team.

In January, an Iraqi Premier League reportedly offered to sign him but he is said to have turned down the offer as he continues to stay with his family in Belgium.

From how brightly Nirisarike started his European adventure, one could have wished to see him playing for a bigger club from a European Big Five league. But, since leaving Belgium, the guardsman has seen a sharp decline in his career and he is now even struggling to get a team.

Not in Ferrer’s plans

Nirisarike was once an irreplaceable player in Amavubi defense. In his prime, he was every coach’s first choice defender waiting for who would partner him.

His leadership, incredible ball clearances and aerials would position him to always be the coach’s favorite.

But since, it has not become the case ever since he struggled for club football. Carlos Ferrer overlooked him, replacing him with Thierry Manzi.

However, Nirisarike’s services have still been missed and his absence affected Rwanda defensively during the country’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers especially when Ferrer’s side lost 2-0 at home to Mozambique at Huye Stadium.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers start in November and Rwanda needs foreign-based players to be in their prime ahead of the task.

After a year without a national team call up, Nirisarike should get a team at an appreciable level and start praying, that way he will reclaim his place given how much Ferrer wants to reinforce his central defense.

Despite his excellent start to European football, the centre back has been a pale shadow of himself in the last couple of years and, at 30, he should consider a switch to the Gulf Arab leagues namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar or United Arab Emirates where can get adequate playing time.

Or, better still, he can opt for either local powerhouses APR or Rayon Sports who will be playing African club football competitions next season.