Gor Mahia’s full back Karim Niyizigimana failure to turn up for pre season has elicited mixed reactions from Gor Mahia fans with some alluding to the fact that he must have left the club.

However as usual Soka25east.com caught up with  Niyizigimana  who is arguably the best right fullback currently in the region as he watched the ongoing CHAN 2016 tournament at the Stade De Nyamirambo in Kigali and specifically asked him why he had not reported for Pre Season training to try and dispel the many rumours going around about his absence.

The Burundian in his cool demeanour laughed off any sentiments that suggested he had left the club and almost sweared as he said “Ohh no i love Gor Mahia so so much i cannot not leave the club at all they have been so good to me and that is a fact”

“I have been talking to the club chairman Rachier and even today i spoke to the team manager Jolawi Obondo i requested for some time off to to recharge my batteries since i had been so tired after a rigorous 2015 season playing in the Kenyan premier league,Top 8,Gotv Shield,Cecaca Kagame cup and the Cecafa Senior Challenge for my team Burundi i needed some rest”

“I also asked to be excused from the Sudan pre season camp but i can assure all the Gor Mahia fans i will be back in Nairobi on Friday(22nd January) to continue with training ahead of the tough season ahead and the same was acknowledged by the club who have been very nice to me”Niyizigimana told Soka25east,com

“Infact i have been doing some serious personal training (He took Soka25east.com to the hill he is using for his workout in Kigali) and let them be assured they will see no difference from the same Karim who played in the 2015 season”

“I love Gor Mahia so much and nothing can possibly take me away from the club right now so i would like to ask everyone from our loyal fans to understand my request to the club but i promise i will be back with a bang”Niyizigimana concluded

Niyizigimana also praised the club for the acquisition of Rwandese striker Jacques Tuyisenge saying that was a brilliant buy “i am so happy with what the club has done Tuyisenge is a brilliant striker and i can assure you the Gor Mahia fans will immediately love him as he naturally talented as a striker”

Karim Niyizigimana was crowned Kenyan premier league defender of the year 2015 the same  year  he joined Gor Mahia from Rwanda’s Rayon Sport where he was a house hold name  and he never  disappointed.  Niyizigimana’s marauding skills on the right has seen him bag more than six assists in the KPL in the 2015  campaign. On his good day, he is as excellent on the offensive as he is on the defensive.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com