No Euro move for Gatete ‘yet’

Amavubi Stars and Rayon forward Jimmy Gatete (pic) has ruled out any possibilities to play in Sweden despite the Swedish Football Federation ruling that Africans are free to play in Scandinavian country without restrictions.Getete, probably Rwanda’s most prolific striker told Times Sport yesterday that he is not considering featuring in the Swedish league, at in the next two years because he is happy at his new club Rayon Sports.The 26-year-old joined Rayon in close season from rivals APR where he was deemed surplus to the requirements along with 17 others.“I have just signed a two-year contract with Rayon Sport but if I get contacted by any club from Sweden, then I may have to think about it (positively),” Gatete said.Once referred to as ‘god of goals’ by the local fans during his prime, Gatete is believed to be the most prolific striker Rwandan football has ever known.But was left our of the Amavubi team that is currently participating in the ongoing Cecafa senior challenge cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Gatete scored crucial goals during the 2004 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifications which saw the Amavubi team reach its first ever CAN finals. The most celebrated goal in Rwandan history is no doubt his goal against the Black Stars of Ghana at Amahoro national stadium in Kigali (March 2003) which led to Amavubis 1-0 win and handed them their ticket to Tunis the following year.If a move to Sweden materializes for Gatete, he would be joining fellow Rwandan international and ex-APR teammate Olivier Karekezi who features for Helsingborg If.The Swedish Football Federation (SFF) ruled that from next season Swedish clubs would be free to sign unlimited number of African players. The SFF made the ruling in accordance with the Cotonou Agreement, a treaty signed in Benin in 2000 by members of the EU and a group of 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP). The agreement stipulates that nationals from those countries working legally in Europe should have the same rights as EU citizens. Previously, only three non-European players were allowed to play for a clubHelsingborg, a club with five Africans, earlier this year called for the federation to implement the accord. At the time the SFF said it could not make any changes since the regulations for the season had already been adopted. Ends

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No Euro move for Gatete ‘yet’