Yanga suspends Amavubi skipper Niyonzima

Tanzanian football giants Yanga on Thursday suspended Amavubi national team skipper Haruna Niyonzima for missing training without permission. It is not yet clear how long the midfielder will serve his punishment but according to Tanzanian Swahili newspaper Habarileo, Yanga Secretary General, Jonas Tiboroha said the decision was reached by the Club’s Executive Committee after several warnings. “He (Haruna) has been acting contrary to the contract that he signed with this club for example after the Cecafa cup final, he switched off his telephone number and did not report to team camp ahead of the league match against Stand United,” Tiboroha said adding that the 27 year old did not notify the club when going for the Cecafa challenge cup. Niyonzima, who is also Yanga assistant captain, could not answer repeated phone calls by press time but disagreed with the club decision in a post on his Facebook wall saying that he had notified the club that he was sick. “I don’t agree totally with them because they know that I am not fine. I am sick and I want to finish my treatment before I can train and I informed them, that is why I didn’t train.” Haruna joined the Tanzanian giants four years ago and has guided them to 2 Cecafa Kagame Cup trophies in 2011, 2012 and 3 Tanzanian Premier League titles in 2011, 2013, 2015. Niyonzima joined Yanga from APR which he featured for four years (2007-2011) and helped the military side to win three league titles, three Peace Cup crowns and one CECAFA Kagame Cup in 2010. The diminutive midfielder started his career in Etincelles before joining Rayon Sports. He made his senior international debut for Rwanda in 2007 and has appeared in several FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. editorial@newtimes.co.rw