Rwanda Amavubi International Muhadjiri Hakizimana was on Thursday night named the 2017/18 FERWAFA (Federation of Rwanda Football Association) player of the year during a momentous ceremony which took place at the Marriot Hotel in Kigali.
The Amavubi forward scored 13 goals to inspire APR to their record-extending 17th league title and was a key part of Ljubomir Petrovic’s side that reached the Peace Cup semi-finals before being seen off by eventual winners Mukura.
Currently plying his trade with Belgian side Waasland-Beveren, Bizimana also played a crucial role as APR romped to the Azam Rwanda Premier League title in June, dethroning rivals Rayon Sports.
To win the title, he beat another Amavubi player Djihad Bizimana and Burundian striker Jean Claude Ndarusanze.
Burundian import Ndarusanze had a stellar season with AS Kigali and was the league’s top scorer with 15 goals as he helped the City of Kigali-sponsored side to finish second with 61 points, five behind APR.
APR’s Yves Kimenyi overcame Ugandan born goalkeeper Shamiru “Blessed” Batte of Kiyovu and Mukura’s Omar Rwabugiri to the goalkeeper of the year accolade.
Meanwhile, Mukura Football Club’s Francis Christian Haringingo was the revelation coach ahead of Emmanuel Ruremesha (Musanze) and Police’s Albert Joel Mphande.
Emmanuel Ruremesha now at Musanze was named the coach of the year ahead of Ljubomir Petrovic (APR) and Francis Haringingo (Mukura).
The final shortlist of the successful players and coaches was selected by a 48-member jury of 16 coaches from all topflight league teams and their captains, in addition to 16 journalists picked by the Rwanda Sports Journalists Association.
Last season, Rayon Sports’ Burundian midfielder Pierrot Kwizera won the best players’ accolade.
2018 Azam Rwanda Premier League Award winners:
Best player
1. Hakizimana Muhadjir (APR FC)-110 pts
2. Bizimana Djihad (Ex. APR FC)-48 pts
3. Ndarusanze Jean Claude (AS Kigali)-37 pts
Best Goalkeeper
1. Kimenyi yves (APR FC)-156 pts
2. Rwabugiri Omar (Mukura VS)-52 pts
3. Bate Shamiru (AS Kigali)-37 pts
Promising Player
1. Muhire Kevin (Rayon Sports FC)-72 pts
2. Buregeya Prince (APR FC)-65 pts
3. Byiringiro Lague (APR FC)-52 pts
Best Coach
1. Ruremesha Emmanuel (Musanze FC, Ex. Etincelles FC)-103 pts
2. Ljubomir Ljupko Petrovic (APR FC) – 78 pts
3. Haringingo Christian Francis (Mukura VS)-32 pts
Revelation Coach
1. Haringingo Christian Francis (Mukura VS)- 61 pts
2. Ruremesha Emmanuel (Musanze FC, Ex. Etincelles FC)-48 pts
3. Mphande Joel Albert (Police FC)-33 pts
Top Scorer: Ndarusanze Jean Claude (AS Kigali)-15 Goals
Team of the Year
Yves Kimenyi (APR FC), Omborenga Fitina (APR FC), Rutanga Eric (Rayon Sports FC), Manzi Thierry (Rayon Sports FC), Rwatubyaye Abdul (Rayon Sports FC), Kakule Mugheni Fabrice (Kiyovu SC), Bizimana Djihad (former APR FC), Muhire Kevin (Rayon Sports FC), Hakizimana Muhadjir (APR FC), Manishimwe Djabel (Rayon Sports FC) and Ndarusanze Jean Claude (AS Kigali).
