APR midfielder Andrew Buteera is anxious ahead of his season debut in today’s encounter against Isonga as the National Football League resumes after a two-week break.
Buteera, who has just been cleared as a Rwandan national by the Immigration Office and the Rwanda Football federation (Ferwafa) is among the 11 players who have been granted legitimate nationality.
Following Rwanda’s disqualification from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifiers, the Ministry of Sports and Culture alongside Ferwafa announced that naturalized players will no longer represent Rwanda unless they have gone through the proper process of requesting for nationality through the Immigration Office.
Born in Uganda to a Rwandan father, Buteera was entrapped in this process and had to wait for the three-month procedure that affected almost 50 players in the National Football League as Ferwafa set up a five-man committee to follow up on players’ nationalities.
An eager Buteera said, “I am super excited about my return to competitive football and I cannot wait to get onto the pitch and help my club maintain the top spot on the table standings.”
The 20 year old admitted that it will not be easy because he is not as fit and mentally alert as his teammates who have so far played 11 league games and the semi-final of the Ombudsman Cup.
Buteera said, “I will need time to adjust to playing regular competitive football but I know for sure that I will get better by the day. The most important aspect is that I have people who support me and are there for me.”
The midfield maestro has had his back against the wall before after a ligament injury during the 2011 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico kept him away from a football for a year.
He reminisced and pointed out that, “On my return last season, I was conscious because usually with an injury, it can heal but mentally you have to be prepared to deal with the return. Right now, I know that I have to work on my fitness level and heed to the coach’s advice in everything I do.”
APR head coach Ljubomir Petrovic is thrilled at the return of the creative midfielder and said, “I am so glad he is back in the team set up because we have missed him and we are going into a busy part of the season. Of course he will not play the full game today as I want him to come on as a substitute so that he gets used to this kind of football which is different from training sessions.”
The table leaders have 26 points from 11 games and against Isonga today they will be eyeing victory as maximum points will ensure they remain at the helm of the table standings.
Two years ago, APR adopted a policy to only feature Rwandan players therefore for Buteera to feature for the 14-time league champions, he has to be Rwandan.
The other players who were cleared include Rayon Sports’ captain Fuadi Ndayisenga, Yannick Bukebuke (APR), Albert Ngabonziza (APR), Emery Mvuyekure (Police), Hamadou Mbanzumutima (Police), Keita Yumba (Amagaju), Adrien Bantu (Amagaju), Yves Rwigema (APR), Bertrand Iradukunda (APR) and Djuma Bizimana (Amagaju).
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