Niyonzima finds redemption with Red Roses
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 25, 2026 06:00
For Niyonzima, the 2025-2026 season has been filled with sharp turns. Yet just when it appeared his influence within the club structures was fading, he resurfaced through the Red Roses and guided the women’s side back to the summit.
On Sunday afternoon, Niyonzima led GU to the BH National Women’s First Division League Southern Stream title following a commanding 5-0 victory over BDF XI at GU Stadium.
The result capped a remarkable second-round resurgence for a side that had, at one stage, looked in danger of losing control of the title race.
The triumph also offered Niyonzima a measure of personal redemption after a turbulent campaign. When Dimitar Pantev resigned from GU on October 3, 2025 to join Tanzanian giants Simba SC, Niyonzima was handed interim control of the men’s side. Initially viewed as a short-term solution, he quietly stabilised the defending champions during a delicate period.
Across 15 league matches, he recorded 10 wins, four draws and just one defeat while keeping GU firmly in contention for the Premiership title.
Despite the impressive run, he missed out on Coach of the Year nomination consideration because league regulations required a coach to have handled at least 70% of the season’s matches.
As Jwaneng Galaxy intensified pressure in the title race and GU’s unbeaten run came to an end, the club appointed Sean Connor in February 2026. Niyonzima was redeployed away from the senior men’s side and returned to junior and development structures.
But football rarely closes every door at once.
With Red Roses head coach William 'Raizor' Monene absent following the local coaches’ benchmarking trip to Manchester United, Niyonzima was drafted into the women’s setup at a critical stage of the season.
Under him, Red Roses became more fluid in possession, sharper in transition and more aggressive immediately after losing the ball.
The tactical adjustments revived a side that had endured an inconsistent first round and helped them overpower direct rivals, including Jwaneng Galaxy, Double Action and BDF XI during the decisive run-in.
Speaking after sealing the Southern Stream title on Sunday, Niyonzima said understanding the players’ strengths became central to the turnaround.
“As a coach, you analyse the players and ask yourself what qualities they have and what style of play suits them. They understood quicker what I needed from them,” he said.
He added that ball retention and quick reactions after losing possession became key pillars of the team’s improvement.
“Our objective was to keep the ball more because when you keep the ball, you create chances. Tactically, we did what we were supposed to do,” said Niyonzima.
The results reflected the transformation. Red Roses closed the campaign with 202 goals scored, averaging nearly 11 goals per game as they reclaimed control of the Southern Stream race.
But Niyonzima believes the project is about more than local dominance. Having already experienced continental football with the club, he says the focus now is on growth on the African stage.
“It is a process, and we are learning. Our aim now is to do better in Africa,” he added.