Niyonzima’s Sh149 million bill
Young Africans Rwandan midfielder Haruna Niyonzima and his wife talks to reporters at the family’s home in Dar es Salaam yesterday. He spoke on the decision by the club to terminate his contract. PHOTO | DORIS MALIYAGA
What you need to know:
In an interview with The Citizen yesterday, the Rwandan player said the Mainland champions were yet to officially inform him about the new development.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans midfielder Haruna Niyonzima says he has been shocked by the club’s decision to terminate his contract.
In an interview with The Citizen yesterday, the Rwandan player said the Mainland champions were yet to officially inform him about the new development.
Yanga parted ways with Niyonzima yesterday allegedly for indiscipline.
The club’s secretary general, Jonas Tiboroha, said that their decision to drop the player was necessitated by the fact that he was suspended and failed to submit his defence against any disciplinary action.
Tiboroha said Niyonzima severally disappeared from the club without permission to feature for Rwanda’s national soccer team, Amavubi, in international fixtures without following club rules.
“We have warned him several times, including deducting his salary, but he has kept on repeating the same mistakes.
“He has made the club officials appear toothless but Young Africans is a big club with a history that can not tolerate him any further,” said Tiboroha.
The official said they have followed Fifa rules in terminate the player’s services.
He said that Niyonzima would have to pay the club $71,175 (Sh149 million) for breach of contract in accordance with Fifa rules.
Yesterday Niyonzima lamented that the club should have considered his input over the last five years.
He claimed rumours were spread about a plan to join a rival club but dismissed the claims as untrue.
“I am still a Young Africans player because I am yet to receive the said sacking letter. I will wait for the official information before deciding on what to do,” he said.
He added that he could also comment on the hefty fine before being officially served.
The player refuted claims by the club official that he had kept them in the dark over his role with the Rwandan national team.
“I submitted my defence as per club official order but unfortunately when I reached Tiboroha, I was told they had already made a decision which I have just heard through the media,” Niyonzima said.
He reiterated that he had no plans of joining another club in the country as he had renewed his contract with Young Africans six months ago.
