Amavubi legend Gatete starts coaching career

Former Amavubi forward Jimmy Gatete has started his coaching career in Koblenz, Germany where he is set to take part in a three-week training session, which begins today. The course is equivalent to a German Football Federation (DFB) ‘C’ Coaching License and UEFA B Level. Gatete will attend the training alongside seven other Rwandans namely; Henriette Mukahirwa, Diane Tumutoneshe, Diane Nyiramahoro, Gaspard Munyeshema, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, Jean Baptiste Gashumba and Jean Baptiste Kwizera. According to the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa), the selected coaches were picked after series of interviews held by the federation last month. The course is in line with the longstanding good relationship between Ferwafa and their German counterparts, DFB. Other participants, who will take part in the course, are from Japan, China, Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway and Poland. Local coaches, who have benefitted from this course in the past include; Vincent Mashami (APR), Sosteine Habimana (Rayon Sports), Andre Cassa Mbungo (Police), Grace Nyinawumuntu (AS Kigali women) and Jean Paul Kalisa (Amagaju) among others. Gatete, who has been living in the US following his retirement from international football in 2009, remains a legend in Rwanda following his scoring heroics with Amavubi. He scored crucial goals during the 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifications which saw Rwanda reach its first ever Afcon finals tournament held in Tunisia. The most celebrated goal in Rwandan history is presumably his goal against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro stadium in March 2003 which led to Rwanda’s 1–0 win and handed them the ticket to Tunis the following year. Gatete has played club football for local sides Police, Mukura, APR FC and Rayon Sport. He also had a brief spell in South Africa with Maritzburg United, and in Ethiopia with Saint George F.C.