Niyonzima fate to be known as club meets

Dar es Salaam. What will happen to Haruna Niyonzima? Young African fans will have to wait for the answer, fortunately not for too long. A meeting between the Mainland champions officials is this evening expected to settle the matter once and for all.

The troubled Rwandan national football team (Amavubi) skipper was “booted out” over alleged misconduct.

But at a recent press conference held at the club’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, visibly remorseful, the roving midfielder asked for forgiveness, pledging to not repeat “what happened”.

Yet whether or not his plea for mercy will overhaul the decision to terminate a contract that that was a year shy of ending remains unknown. The contract was due to expire next year May.

The 27-year-old is reported to have provoked the wrath of his paymasters after he failed to return to the club’s Jangwani base in Dar es Salaam on time after featuring for Amavubi Stars in the recent Cecafa Cup in Ethiopia.

Yanga officials told The Citizen yesterday that they would meet to discuss the player’s request for a second chance before releasing a statement.

Yanga secretary-general Jonas Tiboroha said they might meet today in the evening before releasing a statement. “We will sit with the club’s disciplinary committee before we release a statement,” said Tiboroha.

“We were expected to meet after his plea for forgiveness, but we failed because I was attending a meeting.”

“But since I am free now, we might meet tonight,” said Tibohora. The club’s head of information, Jerry Muro, also said the player’s request would be considered during the meeting before a statement is issued.

An amicable solution is, however, is most likely, sources close to the goings-on in the club suggested.

They revealed that Niyonzima might be pardoned for the benefit of both sides.

Trouble for the skipper began when early last November, he was granted permission to attend to family issues, but didn’t return as required. Instead, he joined his national team camp after a request by the Football Federation of Rwanda, which sent a letter to the Tanzania Football Federation. Yanga received a copy.

The club also claims they were enraged when Niyonzima “refused” to write a statement of defence to the disciplinary committee. This led to the decision to fire him.