Edmund Okai Gyimah
Africa-Press – Rwanda. Man plans, God Laughs!” You can say that this saying defines Bienvenue Mugenzi’s football career. He had two talents to choose from: music and football. The Police FC forward could have become a pretty rapper but football won his heart.
But his rise to stardom as a footballer was not an easy one at all. Growing up in a place with little football background, he had to be very determined and ambitious to become the player he is now.
” In my childhood, I grew up loving football and music. Sometimes I tried to practice rap music which I was really good at but football won my heart. I had to follow what I could see myself thriving,” says Mugenzi.
Mugenzi had to walk miles from home in Mbugangari to a football pitch to realize his first breakthrough through veteran coach Jitiada Mungo, a.k.a Vigoureux, the same man who discovered talent in prominent Rubavu-born footballers Emery Bayisenge, Djabel Imanishimwe, Haruna Niyonzima, Jacques Tuyisenge, Ismail ‘Kodo’ Nshutinamagara and Leandre Bizagwira, JMV Shyaka, James Tubane and Clement Mutunzi among others.
In Vigoureux, Mugenzi felt his football development was in good hands no matter how far he would come from to get to the pitch.
“I started my football journey through coach Vigoureux. I could hardly find a football ground in my neighborhood because people there didn’t love football, so it was so hard for me,” Mugenzi recalls in an interview with Weekend Sport.
“It was even hard to get to a renowned coach like Vigoureux but I am glad that I reached him and he played a role in raising my football level,” he adds.
Career
Mugenzi, 29, came into the limelight a decade ago in the colors of Marines FC in Rubavu. He impressed greatly and APR came calling. He could hardly turn down the opportunity to play for one of two domestic teams, alongside Rayon Sports, that every Rwandan player grows up dreaming to wear their shirt.
While his spell at the army side was not a successful one, Mugenzi switched to Bugesera before returning to his parent club Marines. The Rubavu-based side gave him an opportunity to again prove his worth and he never disappointed as he attracted the attention of Kiyovu in July 2021.
He enjoyed two exceptional seasonswith the Green Baggies before he signed for Police FC after the former showed no interest in extending his deal only to let him go for free after his contract expired on June 30.
He had to make the Mumena-based pay for letting him go when he scored against them October 20 to help new side Police FC win the encounter with a 3-1 result.
Mugenzi found a new family at Police FC, especially when he is playing alongside forward Muhadjiri Hakizimana who also saw his breakthrough in his hometown Rubavu.
Just like every footballer has a role model he looks up to, Mugenzi grew up looking up to former Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima who he says is his best Rwandan football player of all time.
“I started football admiring Haruna Niyonzima and until now he is my player of all time in Rwanda,” he pointed out.
Experience in Amavubi shirt
Mugenzi earned his first call up in to the Rwanda U23 in 2013 and, since then, he never looked back.
He went on to represent the country in senior national team a host of times over the past decade.
Mugenzi admits that things have not been pretty good for him while on international duty but promised to come back stronger.
Style of play
Speaking of his strength as an attacker, Mugenzi is versatile forward who can play any position upfront.
He is the player who makes many movements in the attacking positions.
“I am mobile and can operate anywhere upfront,” he said.
Mugenzi said that he has faced many tough defenders but the one who give him a hard time is Rayon Sports Aimable Nsabimana. The two were teammates at Kiyovu SC during the 2022/23 season.
“The defender who gave me a hard time is Aimable Nsabimana he is a very good defender.”
Appreciation to Vigoureux
Mugenzi described Vigoureux as a ‘bridge’ which he climbed on to get to the top of his game. To him, he couldn’t have made it without the veteran who gave him his first opportunity.
“Vigoureux really supported me. We started well together and, till now, he still advises me in the game,” he said.
Saddest career day
Mugenzi says that his family has been so supportive to his career. His parents would show up for some matches to watch him playing.
But he never forgets when his dad one came to see him play and he realized that he didn’t even make it to the team sheet.
“That remains my saddest day in my football career. I was playing in the second division at the age of 17 years. When my father came to watch my team play, I could not even make it to the bench. I cried but he told me to be patient and wait for my time,” he recalls.
” I am grateful that he came back later and saw me play. I saw me score many goals in Marines at Umuganda Stadium,” the seemingly relieved player added.
Life at Police
Mugenzi has started his goal scoring exploits at Police FC. He scored one and assisted another as they beat Kiyovu 3-1.
The striker stressed that the law enforcers’ supporters should expect more him this season as he looks to justify his club achieve ‘something’ this season.
“Police fans should expect power from me, hard work and zeal.”
He is enjoying life under his current head coach Vincent Mashami, and he wants to transition his form to the national team. The striker is optimistic that there is no stopping in scoring on club and national team level.
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