AMAVUBI and AS Kigali central defender Soter Kayumba is poised to complete his move to Kenyan side Sofapaka next week. Times Sport has learned. The former AS Kigali skipper who repeatedly turned down offers to extend his contract with the club, is set to sign a two-year deal with the former Kenyan champions – tentatively on November 4. The 25-year old was instrumental in AS Kigali’s league campaign last season as they finished second with 61 points, five adrift of champions APR and a whoopping nine points ahead of second runners-up Rayon Sports. Etincelles completed top four. Despite abstaining from disclosing much about his deal with the 2009 Kenyan champions, Kayumba confirmed his move to Sofapaka in an exclusive interview with Times Sport on Thursday and said he looked forward to enjoying the Kenyan league and helping to propel his soon-to-be new team to great success over the next two years. “I really look forward to finalizing the deal with Sofapaka, they are a great team and I am optimistic to improve my football level with them. It was not an easy decision to make, I had other offers but Sofapaka’s vision impressed me the most,” Kayumba said. According to reports, the Rwanda international had been in talks with three Kenyan teams namely; front runners Sofapaka, AFC Leopards and Tusker since last month. The former Etincelles defender was in Kenya last week for advanced talks and detailed negotiations about his contract. The two sides agreed the player would be traveling back to Nairobi on November 4 where he will put pen to paper and immediately join teammates in training. Should everything go according to plan, Kayumba will become the second Rwandan plying his trade with Sofapaka and the third in Kenya Premier League, joining Jacques Tuyisenge who features for Gor Mahia and former Police FC midfielder Justin Mico who joined Sofapaka in June. Sofapaka finished sixth, with 53 points, in the 18-team table league last season. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
