Tunisian coach Ben Moussa, fueled by his team’s morale-boosting 2-1 friendly victory over APR FC, is confident about his bold aspirations for Police FC. After the match, he announced his team’s ambitious goal to secure the league title in the upcoming 2025/26 season, scheduled to kick off in September.
The path to achieving this milestone is steep, as Moussa’s Police FC faces the daunting task of dismantling the dominance of APR FC and Rayon Sports. Over the past 31 years, these two giants of Rwandan football have claimed 30 out of 31 league titles. APR FC has an impressive 23 trophies to its name, while Rayon Sports boasts seven. The only exception to their supremacy came in the 2007/08 season when ATRACO FC won the title before dissolving shortly after.
APR FC has been the league powerhouse, capturing the last six consecutive championships, while Rayon Sports consistently remains a force to be reckoned with. As Moussa arrived in Rwanda, he made his intentions clear, saying: “I didn’t come here for leisure. Police FC often finishes third, fourth, or second. I’m here to change the mindset and win the championship.”
Moussa is no stranger to success in Rwandan football. He previously guided APR FC to the 2022/23 league title after stepping in to replace Moroccan coach Adil Erradi Muhammed mid-season. Now, tasked by Police FC to deliver their first-ever league trophy, Moussa aims to challenge the long-standing dominance of APR FC and Rayon Sports.
Police FC’s performance last season saw them settle for fourth place. However, the team has since fortified its ranks, bringing in standout signings such as Dieudonné Ndayishimiye “Nzotanga,” Alain Bacca Kwitonda, and Mugiraneza Frodouard (all previously with APR FC), Samuel Nsengiyumva from Gorilla FC, and Leonard Gakwaya from Bugesera FC. These fresh faces join an existing lineup of talents led by captain Eric Nsabimana, goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo, and defender Samuel Ndizeye, who recently extended his contract, alongside Abdoul Niyigena, promoted from the junior team.
With this strengthened roster, Police FC is shaping up to be a formidable contender in the next league season. The club has excelled in player recruitment in the past but has struggled to maintain consistency in regular-season play. Analysts agree that Moussa’s task will be to inspire his players to embrace a championship-winning mindset and go toe-to-toe with the league’s dominating giants.
The upcoming season pits Police FC mainly against APR FC and Rayon Sports. However, those two teams will also face additional pressure, representing Rwanda in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup. This scenario gives Police FC a potential edge in early domestic matches, allowing them to focus fully on Rwandan competitions while their rivals juggle international commitments.
Having already clinched two Peace Cup titles, Police FC is now eyeing the grand prize: the league championship. Their aim is to join Rwanda’s elite clubs competing for top football honors, rewriting their legacy in Rwandan football history.
