Haruna Returns to Captaining Throne in National Soccer Team

For 12 years playing for national soccer team of Rwanda, Haruna announces that he continues to be a captain of the team. Head coach, Vincent Mashami told INYARWANDA today.

Haruna is said to have hardly received any summon for joining football legs after he faltered to help Amavubi for a vigorous match against Central African Republic played on 18th November 2018.

Football analysts claim the AS Kigali captain never played the match since he was never welcomed to the match. Others assert the decision was reasonable since he provoked Rwanda's defeat against Ivory Coast following his giving a poor pass to Olivier Kwizera which entered Rwanda's goal.  

Haruna Niyonzima failed to help Amavubi defeat Ivory Coast previously in Kigali

Since then, people started to disbelieve his swagger in the field and claimed that he would take a football rest. As Amavubi also prepared for their settling match with Ivory Coast, he barely appeared in lineups and people seemed to confirm that he would never return to play for the national team anymore.

Speaking in interview with local sports reporters, Haruna confided he is barely old enough to stop his career but seeks to bring change in his playing tactics and take Amavubi to the next level. 

In 2017, he left Simba Sc for which he played two years and came back to the country where he penned a deal with AS Kigali. 

Head coach, Vincent Mashami, today told local reporters he summoned 25 players including Haruna Niyonzima.

'' I did not say doors to Amavubi are closed down for Haruna Niyonzima, a door to national soccer team is always open for all people, nobody has said Haruna's door was closed down,'' he dispelled.   

Asked why he did not call upon Haruna to help Amavubi outperform in African cup of nations championship 2019, Vincent responded Haruna was still handling his own affairs in Tanzania which was keeping him oddly busy to be able to participate in the match. 

'' Before we played our match against Central African Republic, I told him he would not play and he agreed because he was yet to finish off with his stuffs in Tanzania,'' he responded. 

After Haruna's leave, Jacque Tuyisenge took over his place since Miggy Jean Baptiste was also away.

Vincent further said the 29 years-old is taking over again his captaining duty since he never bade farewell to the team.

He played for APR Fc in 2007 until 2011 after he left Rayon Sports Fc for which he also played for one year. He for the first time played for Etencelles Fc in 2005. 

From 2011 until 2017, he played for Yanga Africans prior to his joining Simba Sc for which he played from 2017 until 2019.

As of 2007, Haruna played 85 matches in national team as a striker and won 6 goals.

Vincent Mashami called upon 25 players to join the national team

Goalkeepers: (3):  Omar Rwabugiri (APR FC), Yves Kimenyi (Rayon Sports), Eric Bakame Ndayishimiye (AS Kigali). 

Defenders (8): Abdoul Rwatubyaye (Colorado Rapids FC, USA), Salomon Nirisarike (FC Tubize, Belgium),  Thierry Manzi (APR FC),  Ombolenga Fitina (APR FC),  Emmanuel Imanishimwe (APR FC), Eric Rutanga Alba (Rayon Sports), Emery Bayisenge (Saif Sporting Club, Banglaesh) and  Eric Radou Iradukunda (Rayon Sports).

Midfielders (7): Andrew Buteera (APR FC), Kevin Muhire (Mir El Makkasa, Egypt),  Yannick Mukunzi (Sandvikens IF, Sweden),  Olivier Sefu Niyonzima (APR FC),  Djihad Bizimana (Waasland Beveren, Belgium),  Haruna Niyonzima (AS Kigali) and Jean Claude Iranzi  (Rayon Sports). 

Strikers (7): Meddie Kagere (Simba SC, Tanzania), Jacques Tuyisenge (Petro Atletico de Luanda, Angola),  Muhadjili Hakizimana (Emirates Club, Saudi Arabia),  Justin Mico (Police FC), Ernest Sugira  (APR FC),  Djabel Manishimwee (APR FC) and  Patrick Pappy Sibomana (Young SC, Tanzania).