Musanze suspends Shafiq Bakaki for misconduct

Musanze have suspended defender Shafiq Bakaki for his "unprofessional" behaviour during their shattering 3-0 defeat to Vision in Rwanda Premier League.

The Musanze district-based side said they took disciplinary action against Bakaki after “receiving misconduct allegations based on his behaviour” during their 3-0 loss on Monday, 30 December 2024.

Musanze President Placide Tuyishimire told B&B Kigali that Bakaki left the team at Kigali Pele Stadium without permission after being subbed and later claimed to be sick.

"He chose to leave the team before the game even ended and was spotted at Nyabugogo Bus Park. He afterwards claimed to be ill, but since the club have doctors, he should have asked for their medical care,” Tuyishimire told B&B Kigali.

"We cannot condone that. He is suspended for an unspecified period."

Musanze said that the Ugandan defender’s behaviour during their league clash against Vision did not reflect their core values and that he was “unprofessional and discourteous.”

“At Musanze FC, management takes any violation of our core values like integrity, respect, discipline and togetherness very seriously. Your conduct was said to be unprofessional and discourteous towards our team and stakeholders, which is not permitted within our working environment,” Musanze wrote in a letter to Bakaki.

“We all agree that it is fundamental for the football team to maintain a proper working environment. In this way, we hope to gain some time during which one can meditate upon his actions and make amends so that similar events do not arise again in the future.”

Bakaki, who joined Musanze from Uganda Premier League outfit Gaddafi FC in early 2023, was named in the 2023-24 Rwanda Premier League Team of the Year.

Musanze are 11th in the league table with 16 points, just four points over the relegation zone, from 14 matches and have only managed two wins in 10 games.

They will return to league action, taking on APR on Saturday, 4 January, at Ubworoherane Stadium.

Photo: Shafiq Bakaki (shirt number 5) was accused of being "unprofessional" during his side's 3-0 loss to Vision in Rwanda Premier League.

Photo: Shafiq Bakaki was named in the 2023-24 Rwanda Premier League Team of the Year.