Rwandan football was sent reeling on Saturday evening as Gasogi United proprietor Charles Kakooza Nkuriza (KNC) announced the immediate disbandment of the club.
This dramatic move, following Gasogi United’s 1-0 loss to AS Kigali at Kigali Pelé Stadium, wasn’t just a post-match outburst; it was the culmination of long-simmering frustrations that finally boiled over.
The air crackled with tension after the match, accusations of unfair officiating hanging heavy. KNC, ever the passionate figure, didn’t mince his words.
In a bombshell post-match interview, he declared, “You could be surprised by what I am going to tell you but I am disbanding Gasogi United with immediate effect. We are not investing in Rwandan football anymore.”
His reasons? A string of “unfair refereeing calls” against his team, culminating in the referee’s decision to add only four minutes of stoppage time despite AS Kigali’s apparent time-wasting tactics.
KNC even sarcastically named the referee “man of the match” for his perceived bias.
However, this wasn’t just about one game. KNC’s anger ran deeper, fueled by his perception of widespread corruption within Rwandan football.
He claimed to have been penalized for “speaking the truth” about officiating issues in the past, adding, “We can’t play without fair play because we invest our time and money. We’re fed up with corruption in the game.”
The decision has predictably divided opinion. While some fans sympathize with KNC’s frustrations, others criticize the move as impulsive and unprofessional.
Local football fanatic Samson Mupenzi pointed out the historical context, “It’s not the first time KNC has pulled this stunt. He did the same in 2022, only to reverse course soon after. This decision shows a lack of sportsmanship and professionalism. There are proper channels to raise concerns with Ferwafa (Rwandan Football Federation). Pulling out is an insult to the Peace Cup competition.”
Retired footballer Olivier Kagozi echoed these sentiments, calling for Ferwafa to take action against Gasogi United. “Ferwafa should either fine or ban Gasogi United or KNC,” Kagozi stated. “There are rules and regulations on how to raise such issues. These are the kind of decisions that come from running a club like a household, with one person acting as manager, PR, head of transport, and everything else.”
Management expert and Arsenal supporter Richard Muzungu highlighted the importance of proper club governance structures. “Even though KNC owns the club, Gasogi United should have a board where decisions can be voted on,” Muzungu argued. “The competition can still go on without Gasogi United, but it wouldn’t be fair if a bigger club like Rayon Sports pulled out.”
Ferwafa’s silence amidst the turmoil is deafening. The disbandment casts a long shadow over Rwandan football, raising questions about the future of the club, the league, and fair play itself.
Will KNC’s dramatic move spark wider reforms or simply be remembered as a regrettable outburst of frustration? Only time will tell if this time, the disbandment truly sticks.
Whether KNC’s decision proves to be a watershed moment or a mere footnote in Rwandan football history, one thing is clear: his long-simmering frustrations have finally boiled over, leaving a trail of uncertainty and a sense of unease in their wake. The future of Gasogi United, and perhaps even Rwandan football itself, hangs precariously in the balance.
