he 2024/25 FERWAFA second division league kicks off on Saturday, September 21, as clubs embark on a long journey to Rwanda Premier League qualification. The new season promises to be fiercely contested with a host of traditional teams such as Sunrise FC, Etoile del'Est, Gicumbi and AS Muhanga among others all in the fray. Two tickets to the top tier league are up for grabs and, to make their dreams a reality, many of the clubs have signed seasonal players whose quality put them in a position to stand out in the campaign. Times Sport looks at five top players to look out for in the Ferwafa second division league this season. Paul Laab Garia (Sina Gerrard FC) The talented left-footed playmaker is not new to the division having previously featured there during the 2022/23 season. Laab had a 21-goal contribution at Gicumbi FC in the 2022/23 season. It included 6 goals, of which 5 were from direct free kicks, and a whopping 16 assists. He moved to Sunrise FC in the beginning of the 2023/24 season but, through mutual agreement, they parted ways after the club was relegated from the topflight league. Laab is now at newly promoted Sina Gerrard FC, and he is primed to do magic for them this coming season. Claude Harerimana Kamoso(AS Muhanga) Another player who is back to the second tier. It is almost certain that if you want to qualify to the Premier League, just sign Harerimana. He helped Muhanga to secure qualification to the Premier League in his first stint before moving to Etoile de l'Est after the Southern Province based club were relegated at the end of the 2020/21 season. Harerimana moved to Etoile de l'Est who also got relegated in the 2021/22 season and he spearheaded their return to the top tier league before joining Vision FC who he also helped secure their first ever topflight qualification with 12 goals including three in the playoffs. He is now at AS Muhanga expectations are high on the forward whose focus is now shifted on earning them a spot back in the top tier league. ALSO READ: Champions Etoile, Amagaju promoted to the topflight league Prince Jerome (Motari FC) The Ghanaian central midfielder has joined newly promoted second division side Motari FC after Fifa canceled his contract with Etincelles and asked them to pay him $7060 dollars. Fifa imposed a transfer ban on Etincelles which won’t be lifted until they sort the player’s dues. Meanwhile, the player is continuing with his career. Jerome has a proven experience and after passing trials with Motari FC, he has been offered a contract. He had no chance to show what he is capable of after Etincelles head coach told him that he was not in his plans. As he embarks on new career chapter with Motari FC, he is looking forward to proving doubters wrong. Jean D'Amour Nzayisenga (Gicumbi FC) The Rwandan defender left Sunrise FC as a free agent and joined Gicumbi FC with whom he expects to hit his mark. Nzayisenga, who can operate anywhere across the back four, will give the needed cover in defense for Gicumbi FC as they hope to return to topflight football after two seasons in the second division. Vedaste Niyibizi ( Etoile de l'Est) It is shocking that no Rwanda Premier League dared to sign Niyibizi despite his impressive campaign last season. He is going to play in the second division after his former side Sunrise FC was relegated. Niyibizi is a good player, and the second division is below his level. With Etoile being an ambitious club who are ready to return to the first league, he can play a big impact to their quest of a topflight league return.
