Musanze sign quartet as Katauti is named assistant coach

Rwanda national football league side Musanze FC has signed four players and named former Amavubi skipper Hamadi ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana as their assistant coach for the 2016/17 season, which starts on October 14. According to the head coach, Sostene Habimana, who also joined the Northern Province-based side in close season from Sunrise FC, confirmed the four new signings as well as the appointment of ex-Rwanda international Ndikumana. Hamad Katauti Ndikumana. / Internet photo. Among the new arrivals is centre-back Francois Hakizimana, defensive midfielder Jacques Kimenyi, attacking midfielder and Uganda-born midfielder Mike Segawa, all from Sunrise as well as Congolese striker Pignole Moika from Amagaju FC. Habimana has been tasked to build a strong side to avoid the dilemma of the last three seasons when the club has faced relegation in their face before narrow survival. Both Habimana and Katauti have signed a one-year renewable contract each. “Our primary objective is to avoid the dilemma of the last three seasons, we need to be a competitive team and we have set the target to finish at least in mid-table,” Habimana told Times Sport on Saturday. The former Rayon Sports player and assistant coach added, “We’re bringing in experienced players, who will help to mentor the younger players. We are working hard to strengthen the team before the league starts. It is just two weeks and we have to be ready.” On working with Katauti, he said, “I hope to have an excellent relationship with him, although he lacks coaching experience, he has vast knowledge of the game and I believe players will gain a lot from him.” Last Wednesday, Musanze beat Etincelles 2-0 in a pre-season match and Habimana is looking for three more games as he continues to prepare the team for the new campaign. He will be looking to guide the team to a respectable place next season, playing good football and also to develop young players from Musanze District and nearby areas, he said. Last season, Musanze FC, under former Uganda international George Semwogere, finished in 14th place with 29 points after winning seven games, drawing eight and losing 15. In only two years, Musanze have had four different coaches, including Hussein Baraka, who replaced Godfroid Okoko at the start of the second round during the 2014/15 season, but he too was replaced by Semwogerere at the start of second round of last season. editorial@newtimes.co.rw