Relegation is inevitable, says coach Mbarushimana

Abdul Mbarushimana AS Muhanga have resigned to the fact they will play next season in the second division but the one thing that remains uncertain is whether head coach Abdul Mbarushimana will stay on at the end the season. The killer blow for the Muhanga-based side was delivered last week by Bugesera FC with a 2-1 win, which condemned the rock bottom side to the drop, even though they have two games left against Rayon Sport, at home and away to SC Kiyovu. Promoted this season, AS Muhanga have won only four matches in the league, and now with the inevitable just waiting to happen, Mbarushimana, who was brought in to save an already sinking ship just over a month ago, says he doesn’t know what his future holds. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Sport, Mbarushimana admitted that, “For us, the writing is on the wall as far as relegation is concerned.” AS Muhanga are seven points adrift second from bottom Rwamagana City FC and eight below Musanze FC, who are one place above the relegation zone. “It is inevitable where we shall end up,” former Rayon Sport assistant coach, noted. Rwamagana City have 25 points and one match left against Marines FC, while Musanze are a point ahead with one game to go against Rayon Sport on the last day of the season. Both sides will be searching for a win, although one of them will join AS Muhanga for the drop. From the first day, AS Muhanga had already released that they could not escape the relegation trouble, given the manner in which they were promoted, along with Etincelles, following FERWAFA’s decision to increase the number of teams in the top flight division from 14 to 16. It will be their second relegation in the last five seasons, following their demotion in 2011. AS Muhanga sacked Edouard Rutayisire and brought in the more experienced Mbarushimana to try and save the club from immediate return to the second, but it was a case of too little too late for him to change the inevitable. “If I had also been appointed earlier, maybe the club would not be in the position they are in now. It is too little, too late. However, lessons have been learnt and it now looks like the team is going to pay the ultimate price,” he explained. He added, “Relegation will be devastating for the club, the city and the fantastic fans, especially with all the money and energy they’ve put in this season.” Asked whether he would stay with the relegated side, Mbarushimana replied, “I still have time to think about that, at the moment, we’re focused on the last two matches, and then at the season, I will sit down with the club managers to discuss my future.” The Southern Province-based outfit completed the first round without a single win in 15 games, managing just five draws and 11 defeats. However, since the start of the second round, AS Muhanga have registered four wins, two of their season best, coming against Etincelless (3-1) and Amagaju FC (4-1). AS Muhanga will also count the cost of poor business that relegation comes with, despite the determined efforts by the club management that invested in squad to help give them the best possible chance of survival. The club signed veteran striker Bogota Labama and defender Bonaventure Hategekimana, both on a short term contract, to help them out of the relegation zone, but the big names have failed to leave to live up to the expectations. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Relegation is inevitable, says coach Mbarushimana