Rwandan Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza was off to a dream start with Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) over the weekend and the midfielder is relishing his stay.
Mugiraneza, 26, scored in Gor’s 3-1 win over newbies Kariobangi Sharks – instantly earning himself the nickname “Johana Jabatiso” (John the Baptist) from fans, who were more than thrilled to watch him marshal the middle of the pack with panache.
The former Kyovu SC, APR and Azam FC man drilled home from close range Godffrey Walusimbi’s cross for K’Ogalo’s second goal in the 39th minute to open his account in the KPL.
Nonetheless, Mugiraneza, who joined Gor from Tanzania moneybags Azam FC last December, opines it will not be an easy ride for the 15-times champions, as they plot to reclaim the title they lost last year to Tusker FC, after bagging it thrice on the trot.
“One thing I have noticed here in Kenya is that all teams are really good. We have lost to a number of sides in preseason, some of them from the lower divisions. It shows every match will not be a walk in the park and you have to work very hard in order to get results that deliver you the championship.
“I usually do my individual training before the team’s training but I plan to put in more effort this year so that we can become champions once again.
“Here at Gor the coach is good, and the players are also very good. The management is committed to facilitate good performance from the team so I am sure we can achieve that dream,” he told the Kenyan Premier League.
Mugiraneza, a regular for the Rwanda national senior team “the Amavubi” won the 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup with Azam – who beat Gor Mahia 2-0 in the final in Dar Es Salaam.
