Nshimiyimana relishes second trophy as coach

AS KIGALIhead coach Eric Nshimiyimana is basking in joy after clinching his second career trophy following his side’s 1-0 win over Police FC in the Ombudsman Cup final on Sunday at Amahoro stadium. The triumph is the second for Nshimiyimana who started his coaching profession as an assistant coach at APR in 2004 following his retirement from playing. His first trophy was the RPF silver jubilee tournament in 2012. The 42-year-old tactician, who signed as head coach of AS Kigali on a two-year contract in July, expressed satisfaction at his side’s brilliant performance and resilience in the two-day competition that was organised by the office of the Ombudsman as part of the anti-corruption campaign. “I am very happy for the players because winning trophies is a reward for all the hard work we have put in as a team and it is good for their confidence,” said Nshimiyimana. The former Amavubi player and coach replaced Andre Cassa Mbungo at AS Kigali and witnessed a demoralising exodus of some key players including goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure, left back Mwemere Ngirinshuti and talisman Jimmy Mbaraga, who joined Mbungo at Police. Nshimiyimana reminisces that he decided to build a strong team with the remaining players as well as signing APR rejects Ernest Sugira, Isaie Songa and Hamdan Bayiranga who have since embraced hard work and commitment to play impressive regular topflight football. The soft-spoken Nshimiyimana, who is reaping a decade’s efforts said, “It has been a journey of encouraging these young players and giving them a chance to play and get exposure and as we witnessed this weekend, they have improved tremendously.” Nshimiyimana started out as an assistant coach at APR, before being named as interim coach to the Amavubi in 2009 where he guided the national team to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final losing to Uganda 2-0 in Nairobi. He then took over Isonga FC in 2011. Nshimiyimana was put in charge of Amavubi again last year but a poor run of results during the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers cost him his job. Born in Burundi, Nshimiyimana played for Prince Louis Rwagasore FC before signing for APR. Notably, he was part of the Amavubi side that featured at the 2004 Afcon in Tunisia.

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Nshimiyimana relishes second trophy as coach