Africa-Press – Rwanda. Espoir FC president Godefroid Kamuzinzi has said the team is now focused on playing topflight football next season.
Espoir were relegated to third division after the Rwanda FA slapped them a 50-point deduction due to fielding an unlicensed player during the 2023/24 second division league campaign.
The Rusizi-based side were promoted back to second division after winning the third division title.
Kamuzinzi admitted that his club dropped to the third-tier league due to internal mistakes, which he says will not be repeated as they instead seek to return to the top tier league.
“Our target is to return to the top division and that is where we belong. We have signed senior players who will help us improve. We know it is tough because there are many top teams in this division, but we are ready to fight return,” Kamuzinzi said.
To achieve the target, Espoir have started to the mobilize the funds for the coming season.
The club projects to spend Rwf 217 million during the 2025/26 season and club main sponsor, Rusizi District, has pledged to contribute a portion of Rwf 83 million on the budget.
Kamuzinzi said that they recently introduced mobilization campaign dubbed “Espoir Yanjye,” where club fans will pledge their support.
The club also targets to raise about Rwf 18 million from a yet-to-be confirmed bus company, stations, and other companies.
“Rusizi residents are passionate about football and their club, and the good thing is that they have pledged to support the club. So, they are ready to help the team to get to what they want to achieve this season,” he said.
“With support from the District, we are determined to correct our mistakes in a bid to take our club back to the first division next year.”
Kamuzinzi, revealed that the club’s donors will be categorized according to the amount of support each person has pledged
Espoir FC reinforced their squad for the 2025/26 season by acquiring the services of former Rayon Sports star midfielder Pierrot Kwizera, who signed a one-year.
They also appointed Amran ‘Amoro’ Hatungimana to take charge as head coach. He will be assisted by Jean Paul Muhoza throughout the next two seasons.
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