Haruna extends Yanga contract

AMAVUBI and Young Africans midfielder Haruna Niyonzima has signed a two-year contract with the Tanzania Vodacom champions.The 23-year old helped Yanga clinch their 24th Vodacom Tanzania Premier League title after a well fought 2-0 win over arch rivals Simba SC. Yanga FC finished off the league with 60 points after 26 matches, Azam coming in second with 54 points. The defending champions Simba SC, whose season was rocked by on and off the field challenges finished 3rd, a massive 15 points behind the winners Yanga. This was Haruna’s second title that he had clinched with the Jangwani side after winning the Cecafa/Kagame Club Championship last year. His future had seemed up in the air as his contract came to and end this month, prompting rivals Simba to splash Tshs. 70 million to secure his signature. But after the league victory, Yanga immediately moved quickly to secure his future and though the club has not stated the exact recruitment fee, it is believed that Haruna will be the highest paid player in Tanzania as he will be earning not less than $30,000 [ Rwf.19.2] every month. The Amavubi assistant captain is now tied to the Jangwani Street team until March 2015. The club chairman Said Abdallah BinKleb said, “There have been a lot of propaganda about Haruna leaving us but he has proved to everyone that his heart belongs here by signing a two-year contract,”“He has contributed a lot for this club and we believe, his services will help Yanga to be a dominant club in the region and Africa as a whole,” added BinKleb. However, BinKleb declined to reveal how much has been offered to Haruna, who was linked with a move to the Mainland champions Simba and Sudanese giants El Merreikh. Addressing the media yesterday, Haruna thanked the club fans and its administrators who sacrificed their resources to have him sign another contract. “Yanga is my home because ever since I arrived here, I have always felt happy and I am promising everyone that my goal is to ensure that Yanga performs well on the international arena after conquering the local scene,” added Haruna who is expected in Kigali for the Amavubi’s World Cup preparation. The club secretary Lawrence Mwalusako said, “Haruna has demonstrated the highest level of patriotism and made a significant contribution to the club’s growth.”The former APR and Rayon Sport midfielder joined Yanga two years ago in a two-year deal worth US$30,000 as a signing on fee and a monthly salary of US$1500. With his contract coming to an end this month, he has been reluctant to renew his deal insisting that he wanted to play in Europe but his desires have all been a failed mission.

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Haruna extends Yanga contract