AS Kigali have tasked Djuma Masudi to deliver success to the club immediately. The City of Kigali-backed side want their new coach to lead them to their maiden Rwanda Premier League title as well as Peace Cup success in the current season, according to the club’s vice president, Charles Havugimana. Masudi, who has since signed a one-year contract, replaced Eric Nshimiyimana. It is reported that Masudi was given US$4000 to help him settle in Kigali on his return from Tanzania where he managed in the topflight league. He will be earning about US$3500 in monthly salary in addition to US$500 in rent and transport allowances. “Masudi has been given a one-year renewable contract and among his main priorities is to try and win the league title this season. In the last couple of seasons, we have done our best and finished among top teams but we want to push for the top honours this time around,” Havugimana told Times Sport. “We are looking at the league title and Peace Cup.” Masudi will start his job away to Kirehe on Saturday after his new side dropped two points against Musanze on Sunday. Havugimana continued: “AS Kigali remain as ambitious as ever and even more this new season. Masudi will be given all the support he needs, including funds, to buy new players to re-enforce the team.” AS Kigali finished third in the last campaign. On his part, Masudi said: “I am encouraged by the confidence that the club has put in me for the next year, the target is to win the league title and Peace Cup and I am willing to work hard to achieve that.” “I cannot talk much but I am here to win titles as I did in the two years I was at Rayon Sports and that’s my main task, I will work with everyone at the club to make it happen,” Masudi added. At AS Kigali, Masudi will be assisted by former Amavubi and AS Kigali midfielder Jean de Dieu Mateso, and former Amavubi, APR and AS Kigali defender Ismael ‘Kodo’ Nshutinamagara. Masudi, who retired from Rayon Sports as a player in 2008, returned to the club years later, winning the league and Peace Cup with them. He later moved to Simba SC of Tanzania. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
