Bayisenge says goodbye to APR teammates, heads to Austria

Out-of-contract APR central defender Emery Bayisenge left the country yesterday en route to Austria for his medical ahead of a move to Lask Linz FC just in time for the new season that commences on July 24. The 21-year old said his goodbyes to his former APR teammates last evening at Amahoro Stadium after their training session before boarding a plane en route to a European nation. He is this week expected to commence training with Lask Linz FC (subject to a medical), a club in the country’s Football First League, the second tier of Austrian football. Bayisenge has been a dependable player for APR for the last two seasons. “I am really excited about this next step in my football career. I really enjoyed my time at APR and will always have the club at heart. Playing professional football in Europe is a dream come true and I am looking forward to it,” said the excited Bayisenge. Lask Linz FC, who finished sixth in their division last season, contacted APR and Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) about the availability of the player who had run out of contract at the army side. The prolific defender was expected to report for the medical by July 6 but a slight delay in visa application saw him get it on Monday. An emotional assistant coach Vincent Mashami said, “Honestly, it is very sad when you lose a player like Emery. He is a great player and we are happy for him even though we shall miss him greatly.” Bayisenge (shirt 8) is seen here defending against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League earlier this year at Amahoro Stadium. (All photos by Timothy Kisambira) The former U-17 as well as U-20 and current U-23 national football team captain recently inspired APR to their 15th record league title in their 22-year history, his second league title since joining them in 2013 from Isonga. He also won the Peace Cup with APR in the 2013/2014 season before playing a key part in propelling the army side to the 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup final in Kigali. APR are almost certain they won’t have him at the next CECAFA Kagame Cup edit set for July 18 - August 2 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The youngster inspired U-17 Junior Wasps during the 2011 Africa Youth Championships in Rwanda, helping them to a decent second finish – after falling to Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final – and a historic spot at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Mexico. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Bayisenge says goodbye to APR teammates, heads to Austria