Mukura VS should start looking at the bigger picture

Mukura Victory Sports head coach Godfroid Okoko is one of the already well-known coaches nationally, but he seems to be adding to his repertoire this season by leading the club to the top of the national league for the first time since 2012 – that season they finished second, behind APR. As the head coach, Okoko has built a reputation by moving the club to a top level, but success comes at a price, and keeping Okoko in Huye will be one of the best long-term investments the club will have made. I am not sure of Okoko’s basic salary for a season but then, I presume it is less than what Rayon Sports had agreed with Belgian Jacky Minnaert before he dumped them for Kenya’s AFC Leopards. Compared to his counterparts Cassa Mbungo of Police FC, newly signed APR’s Nizar Khanfir or even Eric Nshimiyimana of AS Kigali, Okoko must be earning much less. Mukura must break the bank and tie him down to a contract that rewards his talent. By the look of things, at least on the outside, it appears as though the Burundian tactician is not driven by money, what motivates him is turning Mukura into a major force in Rwanda and possibly the region. But again, he is becoming a man in demand, and other clubs must be closely following what he is doing or trying to achieve at Mukura on a tight budget, which is why the club needs to act swiftly and tie him down to a new contract. The players have developed a strong bond, and there seems to be mutual trust within the squad since Okoko took charge last year, and you can see that in the success that the team has attained on the field. Until Bugesera FC halted their winning streak 1-0 ten days ago, Okoko’s team had set a club record of eight consecutive league wins, which could also be a league record in the post-1994 era. Mukura, the oldest club of the 16 teams currently competing in the top flight division, have been through a number of coaches in recent years, including the likes of Baptiste Kayiranga, Emmanuel Ruremesha and Cedric Kaze, but Okoko has brought them the best value for money. Indeed, the club president Olivier Nizeyimana, the vice president Abraham Nayandi, and club secretary general Sheikh Hamdan Habimana must be pinching themselves at the remarkable job he has done in such a short space of time. Mukura have a chance, however slim, of winning their first league title, even though it is still too early to make such predictions, especially given the nature of the local league, but if they can maintain the momentum they had in the first half of the season, they can have an amazing campaign. The Burundian coach has developed rising stars like Muhadjili Hakizimana, 22, the current league top scorer with nine goals and Celestin Ndayishimiye, who is pushing Abouba Sibomana for a first choice selection at left-back for Amavubi. Ndayishimiye, 21, was one of the star performers for Amavubi during the 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals held in Rwanda last month. Players like Christopher Ndayishimiye, Claude Nahimana, Noel Habimana and Emmanuel Minani have improved a lot this season. But the whole master plan revolves around Okoko, who led the club to second-place finish in his last stint in 2012. That season, as it is this time round, Mukura led the table at the half way stage and held their own until the last stretch when APR’s superiority beat them to the title. For Okoko, it was unfinished business when he left to take over at La Jeunesse, Amagaju then Musanze FC, before returning to Mukura mid last season when the club was languishing in the relegation zone. His methods have been questioned in some games, and his obsession to create a solid side, that is hard to beat, has led to suggestion of burn out within his thin squad. But don’t forget that last June, he saved Musanze from relegation to finished 10th. Mukura are currently sitting at the helm of table with 32 points. Somehow, Okoko has become slightly generous with his side, which speaks volumes for what a special coach he is developing into. For now, it remains to be seen if his side can go on to become Rwandan champions for the first time in the club’s long history or win some silverware this season. Regardless of what happens at the end of the season, the outcome of this season should be an eye opener for the club management to start thinking as a big club. Mukura have shown that they have genuine chance of upsetting the status quo by joining the elite clubs who dominate the domestic game and Okoko can achieve this and his club needs to act big by looking at the bigger picture. Over to you Mr Olivier Nizeyimana. editorial@newtimes.co.rw