Rwandan striker, Jacques Tuyisenge. PHOTO FILE/Courtesy.
NAIROBI, January 13 – Champions Gor Mahia have finalized the signing of Rwandan forward Jacques Tuyisenge on a two-year deal from Kiyovu Sports Association FC.
Tuyisenge’s arrival at the record 15 times champions will be a major boost after the uncertainty surrounding Ugandan-born former Rwandan forward Meddie Kagere and Footballer of the Year Michael Olunga who is set to depart for Sweden to attend Trials at Djurgårdens IF.
Club assistant secretary general Ronald Ngala told Capital Sport they opted for Tuyisenge instead of Kagere who had accepted to renew his contract but on a one-year deal.
Tuyisenge will link up with the rest of the squad once the African Nations Championships (CHAN) concludes in Kigali where Rwanda are drawn in Pool A alongside Gabon, Ivory Coast and Morocco.
“We are done with signing Jacques Tuyisenge from Rwanda and he will be joining us later after CHAN competitions. He signed a two year contract and he will be a great addition to our team to bolster our attack line.
“Kagere’s deal was complicated because he asked us to give him more time and his uncertainty made us research for his replacement. Both Kagere and Tuyisenge accepted our terms almost at the same time but we had to settle for Tuyisenge because he was signing for two years,” Ngala underscored.
However, Tuyisenge will not be included in the CAF list that is set to be submitted on Thursday since he will still be participating in CHAN.
“The unfortunate thing is that we will not have him (Tuyisenge) for our CAF matches unless we reach the group stages so we hope the squad that we will register tomorrow will reach there for Tuyisenge to play.
“In Olunga’s case, he told us he was going for Trials and if he succeeds he will not come back but if he does he will join us, so his name is in the CAF list. We have given him until the transfer window closes,” Ngala stated.
The capture of Tuyisenge means Gor have exhausted the required number of foreign players by Kenya Premier League but the assistant secretary general outlined the window is still open for locally based players only if head coach, Frank Nuttall will need more.
Tuyisenge is the latest signing by the three-peat champions after acquiring the services of Jacob Keli from Zambia’s Nkana FC.
K’Ogalo who will open their CAF Champions league campaign with a home tie against Madagascar’s CNaPS on the weekend of February 13 in the first-leg of the preliminary round, are in Ethiopia to compete in the St George’s 80th anniversary tournament.
