Musoni Portais revealed Mukura VS's ambitious football plans during an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda. He shared that the club kick-started a transformative project in 2022, aiming to win the Peace Cup by 2025. Although they fell short of this goal, the foundation laid remains instrumental in future success.
He stated: "Mukura is a team that embarked on a project spanning 2022 to 2025 when I joined them. Our goal was to nurture skilled Rwandan players, combine them with top-tier foreign talents, and ultimately clinch the Peace Cup by 2025—even though we didn't achieve it."
Portais emphasized that the formula for success lies in meticulous planning rather than any secret strategy. Mukura VS aligns its recruitment strategies with financial capability while focusing on quality scouting and player development.
He elaborated: "There are no magic formulas. Success starts with robust scouting, retaining talented players within our project framework, and conducting field trips to monitor athletes firsthand. We only acquire players who match our financial resources and fit seamlessly with our vision based on prior performance."
Musoni expressed pride in Afhamia Lotfi's move to Rayon Sports and addressed speculation regarding additional players potentially joining the team. He acknowledged the coach's role in developing players at Mukura VS.
He commented: "The coach contributed substantially during our three-year project, and we are thrilled about his opportunity at Rayon Sports. While rumors persist, it's plausible due to his familiarity with the capabilities of our players—but contractual obligations for some remain in place."
Musoni highlighted Mukura VS's open-door policy for transferring accomplished players. This strategy offers growth opportunities to younger talents while securing financial stability for the team.
He noted: "Mukura VS opens pathways for the sale of top players, allowing newcomers to make their mark on the team. This approach sustains our long-term development objectives."
Sharing his journey in football, Musoni expressed optimism about the evolution of the sport in Rwanda. Having begun earning a living through football at the age of 20, he reflected on positive changes and challenges within the local industry.
He explained: "I started working as a football professional at age 20 when I launched a company that managed player interests. Since then, football has been my career. Rwandan football has seen remarkable progress, with a focus on youth development driving growth. While challenges exist, well-structured projects significantly improve the odds of success."
Looking ahead, Portais disclosed that Mukura VS is developing a new strategic project set to span from 2025 to 2028. They plan to present the details to the media before the next season's kickoff.
He shared: "Mukura VS is a remarkable team that trusted me early on in my career. I remember moving to work in Huye for just the second time for them. They prioritize building sustainable and impactful initiatives. Football necessitates long-term planning to yield meaningful results. I aim to collaborate with teams that have strong projects, sufficient resources, trust in my abilities, and the patience to grow step by step. Should I leave Mukura, any team that meets these criteria would interest me."
Musoni also addressed struggles faced by players transitioning to major clubs like APR FC and Rayon Sports, underlining the importance of patience for consistent development. He believes player performance hinges heavily on adapting to external pressure rather than lacking skill.
He stated: "Each club follows its unique project and implementation method. APR FC and Rayon Sports are major clubs with the finances to support their ambitions. A player's lack of performance at these clubs doesn’t mean they're untalented."
He added: "Some clubs recruit extraordinary players who fall short due to overwhelming pressure to deliver immediate results. Football demands patience; today, a player might perform brilliantly, but next season struggles may arise before achieving the expected level of performance."
As Secretary General overseeing Mukura VS, Musoni encouraged stakeholders in Rwandan football to leverage national opportunities to enhance the sport’s profitability.
He stated: "In Rwandan football, we must capitalize on our country's potential to make the sport yield returns. Not all clubs aim for trophies; each pursues unique goals under comprehensive strategies. Let's empower our youth to lead clubs built on sustainable, long-term visions."
Musoni Portais was appointed Secretary General of Mukura Victory Sports in 2022, succeeding Gasana Jérôme.
Musoni Portais affirmed Mukura VS’s readiness to implement an ambitious project driving the club’s progress through 2028.