SC Kiyovu’s financial crisis continues to go from bad to worse and some of its staff are growing tired of the situation as club shows no signs of recovery. The Mumena-based club spent three months without paying players and staff, a situation that deeply affected its on-pitch performances, losing eight out of 13 Rwanda Premier League matches played so far this season. Kiyovu’s poor run of results saw head coach Joslin Bipfubusa handed a four-match suspension. It is said that the club was considering sacking the Burundian but the fact that he is reportedly owed arrears in the region of Rwf25 million prompted his employers to reconsider their decision. He later returned to the club’s touchline during their 1-0 home defeat to Musanze FC on December 8. Besides Bipfubusa, the club has also failed to pay its players and members of the technical staff for the past three months. ALSO READ: ALSO READ: Mukura defeat Kiyovu in Kigali as Marines win Rubavu derby Additionally, Kiyovu reportedly owes 64.5 million to one of the hotels based in Kigali which has been accommodating its players during the camps. Requested by the hotel management, the club’s accounts were had been frozen until the dues are settled. Times Sport understands that the club was since unable to withdraw over Rwf 29 million which was deposited on their accounts and, as a result, failed to pay salaries for its staff and coaches. ALSO READ: Sugira insists Kiyovu's crisis is theirs to blame The two parties later agreed to split the amount, with Kiyovu taking Rwf15 million against the hotel’s Rwf1 4 million, after mutually agreeing that the former would pay the remaining debt gradually. We agreed that we will pay the rest of the debt in installments,” said club president David Nkurunziza. After releasing the money, Kiyovu paid salaries of the first month of the season before their match against APR FC. The players looked a bit motivated although they went on to lose 3-0. On the other side, the one-month portion barely changed the mind of Bipfubusa who had already decided to leave his job until he is paid all his dues. Lomami Marcel is currently taking over the job for the remainder if the season. Generally, Kiyovu have the debts amounting Rwf160 million. Nkurunziza claimed that the club is in a tough situation which, he claims, was caused by his predecessors but assured that the management is doing all they can to overcome it. “We are trying to sort out the problems we have been facing and we believe that we will be ready to work in good conditions during the second round,” he said. Kiyovu are currently bottom of the table with seven points and could face relegation if nothing is done. In 2017, the Mumena-based side suffered relegation for the first time in their 53-year history but miraculously returned to the topflight division without kicking a ball in the second division. This was after Isonga FC, a team which had been promoted to the topflight rejected the opportunity.
