Casa Mbungo linked with Mukura FC

Andre Casa Mbungo, sacked by Police FC only last month, could already be on his way back into coaching role after it emerged that Mukura Victory Sports are exploring the possibility of appointing him to replace Godfroid Okoko, who is out of contract with the Huye-based club “So far, no contact has been made with Casa Mbungo but we know that Godfroid’s contact will expire on Sunday (yesterday),” Mukura Victory Sports president Olivier Nzeyimana told Times Sport on Friday. Asked about rumors making rounds in recent days that Casa Mbungo tops Mukura’s wish-list, Nzeyimana said: “I have also heard those rumors but right now, I cannot tell you much because no decision has been made regarding the new head coach or whether we will retain Okoko.” Burundian tactician Okoko has guided Mukura to a third place finish in the Azam Rwanda Football Premier League, their highest finish in recent years. But the absence of talks between the team and Okoko for possible contract extension has only intensified speculation that he might as well be on his way out of the club. “We are still working on our action plan for the next season and next week we will be in a better position to comment about the position of the head coach and anything else related to the team,” Nzeyimana added. In a separate interview, Casa Mbungo said, “Yes, there has been some contact from within and outside Rwanda, but no details right now, we are still in negotiations. I have also been contacted by clubs from Kenya and Tanzania.” “Leaving Police was a big disappointment, but that is football. Nonetheless, I can coach any team in Rwanda, I am ready to get back to work as soon as possible,” the 47-year old told this paper. Reports say Kenyan Premier League side Bandari FC are keen to sign him while some have linked him with SC Kiyovu, Sunrise and Bugesera. Between 1993 and 1998, Casa Mbungo worked as a youth football coach in different academies in Burundi and Rwanda from where he took a step higher when he was appointed head coach of APR FC junior team, from 1998 through 2002. Then Rwandatel FC came calling and he accepted their offer, which saw him take charge of the second division team from 2002 to 2004 before assuming a similar role at AS Kigali (2004-2006) then called Les Citadins. Following two relatively successful years with AS Kigali, Mbungo moved to SC Kiyovu in the 2006/7 season. From 2007-2009, he was in charge of Police FC before switching to second division side SEC Academy where he worked for three years (2009 to 2012). Later he returned to Police FC as head coach before he was relieved of his duties last month after the cops fared poorly both in the league and Peace Cup. Mbungo is the only coach in Rwandan football history to ever win two Peace Cup titles with two different clubs. He led AS Kigali to the title in 2013 and repeated the same feat with Police FC last year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw