Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi has joined Rwanda Premier League side Kiyovu SC, as first reported by this website.
Okwi was unveiled on Friday by the club.
The striker, per information reaching our desk, has signed a one year deal at the club.
He will earn Sh10m per month, which is Sh3m (Rwanda Francs).
“I want to thank God and anyone involved to see that this deal happen,” started Okwi just after he was unveiled by club president.
“Its a big honour for me to step into Rwanda and this league. Its a league that is growing at a high rate in Africa. Its heading in the right direction and I want to be part of thay journey.
“I want to take everything step by step, I want to leave a mark in this league. But I will take everything slowly, I want to start by knowing my teammates, knowing the culture of Rwanda and everything. And hopefully, things go as planned; I talked a lot with the president, they have high expectations of me and I will make sure I repay his faith in me.
Okwi said that he will do his best to leave everything on the pitch. “I am a striker and am here to score goals. I will do my best and will make sure that I give 100% to do my job on the pitch to help the team win. The first thing is for the team to win, its not about me.”
Okwi has been without a club since parting ways with Egyptian Premier League side Ittihad of Alexandria in July this year.
He was linked to a move back to Tanzania’s Simba SC where he is still held in high regard.
When asked whether he can still fire on all cylinders like he did at Simba, and whether he thinks he can still be called to the National team again, the forward said:
“I will make sure that my feet do the talking, I will not answer a lot about my ability now. My job is to play football and help the team win. I will leave the rest to the coach (Micho), if he thinks he needs me, i will make sure that I am available but for now I will just concentrate here.”
Okwi said that he knows a lot about Rwanda players and their league having played with with Meddie Kagere and Haruna Niyonzima while in Tanzania.
He added: “I know a little bit about the Rwandan league and teams from Rwanda. Haruna (Niyonzima, Rwanda Amavubi stars captain) is my friend, we talk about many things. He knew that I was coming to Rwanda. I even talked to him yesterday, we talked a little bit, and I told him that am here to stay, he was happy and he welcomed me.”
Okwi will hope to return Kiyovu where they belong, as the six time league winners have not tasted league success since 1993.
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