Nshimiyimana quits APR

Eric Nshimiyimana has resigned from his post as APR assistant coach to concentrate on the Amavubi Stars’ duties, Times Sport has learnt.Nshimiyimana confirmed he is leaving the club yesterday. “It’s true I have resigned because I can’t continue working at APR and the national team at the same time. I have made it clear (to my bosses) that I am leaving and I hope they respect my decision,” said the 39-year old.He continued: “There will be conflict of interest if I continue to work with one club and also be in charge of the national team, I have to concentrate on the national team.”Nshimiyimana’s resignation follows the appointment of German-born coach Andreas Spier as APR’s head coach and him the assistant coach, which, according to some quarters, didn’t go down well with the former Amavubi and APR midfielder.Spier took over in the aftermath of Rayon Sport’s humiliation of the 13-time league champions which ended in a 4-0 defeat in a Primus League return leg. However, efforts to reach APR chairman Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame for a comment proved futile as he had not returned our numerous calls by press time.One senior player who preferred to remain anonymous told this paper that relationship between the two men Nshimiyimana and Spier – had become frosty since the later took over from the former.He said: “He is good coach and we liked him but if he has decided to leave, we can’t blame him because he and the head coach don’t get along with each other. As players, we see it daily in training and during matches.”Not the first timeNshimiyimana and Jean Baptist Kayiranga were appointed the new Amavubi Stars head coach and assistant coach respectively two weeks ago. Their immediate task is to lead Rwanda to next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be hosted by South Africa. The two were appointed after the sacking of Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic as the head coach of Amavubi Stars, after a disappointing 18 months stint.In 2009, Nshimiyimana was appointed to coach Rwanda on an interim basis after Branko Tucak’s contract was terminated after poor showing in the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Nshimiyimana then helped Amavubi reach the final of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.In 2011, he was again given the Amavubi interim coaching role when Ghanaian Sellas Tetteh resigned after a series of disappointing results that included a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Ivory Coast. Again, he went on to help Rwanda snatch a 1-0 win over Benin in the last Africa Nations’ Cup qualifying match.This is third time Nshimiyimana walks away from APR. Two years ago, he was ‘sacked’ under mysterious circumstances on allegations that he was involved in using witchcraft while on duty with the national team.He was appointed as their new head coach at the start of the current season after doing a good job with Isonga, who finished sixth position in their debut season.

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Nshimiyimana quits APR