Pundits and connoisseurs of the game will not mention the best left-backs on in Africa and overlook Rwanda international Emmanuel Imanishimwe of Moroccan giants FAR Rabat. The marauding defender has been among the top performers in the North African country churning out quality outputs for the past three seasons. Imanishimwe has adequately proved the doubting Thomases wrong. Supporters of AS FAR Rabat on social media were very skeptical when the club announced the signing of the defender from APR FC on August 5, 2021. You cannot begrudge the supporters of FAR Rabat as a big team which is used to acquiring big names. Whoever scouted Imanishimwe for FAR deserves an award, his technical and tactical eye is unrivaled as the Rwandan star has proved himself beyond any reasonable doubt. ALSO READ: Imanishimwe set for Rwf430m move to FAR Rabat Prior to his transfer from APR, Imanishimwe was aware that many Rwandan players don’t last long at North African clubs due to various factors. Most return home after just one season but he has been able to write a new script. Before him, the likes of Innocent Nshuti (Stade Tunisien 2018), Meddie Kagere (ES Zarzis 2013), Abeddy Biramahire (CS Sfaxien 2018) all could not make it and came back home. His determination and hard work has really paid off as he keeps progressing day in day out in the tough and highly competitive Moroccan Botola League. He has already attained cult status in North African football. In the past three seasons, Imanishimwe has played 91 games for FAR Rabat in all competitions providing six assists. 20 of those games came in the CAF competitions which shows his pedigree. He has been indispensable at the back of FAR Rabat anytime he was fully fit. His three year-contract with AS FAR Rabat expires on June 30, 2024 and, commanding a deserving price value of Euros 700,000 on transfermarkt, he will not be short of suitors from other top teams within Morocco or Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and even the Arabian Gulf countries if he decides to explore new avenues. From his performance, there is a high possibility that FAR Rabat will offer Imanishimwe a fresh contract as he has been very helpful to their course. And, even if the club considers letting him go, the defender will no doubt spend even hours without handsome offers on his table but a return to Rwandan football looks unlikely if he is to keep his career going to another level. On the international scene, he has been among Amavubi's best players in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in which they lead Group C. This adds more value to his profile.
