Burundian forward Jean Claude Girumugisha of Al Hilal SC Omdurman has been named the 2025/26 BK Pro League Player of the Year after an outstanding campaign that helped his club secure the Rwanda Premier League title.
Girumugisha won the top individual award during the BK Pro League Awards ceremony, beating fellow nominees El Hadj Madicke Kane of Al Hilal SC, APR FC striker Cheick Ouattara Djibril and Marines FC forward Mbonyumwami Taiba.
The 21-year-old forward was rewarded for his impressive contribution during the season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists, with his performances playing a key role in Al Hilal’s league triumph.
As part of the award package, Girumugisha received a KIA Sorento vehicle valued at Rwf15 million, provided through e-PoBox, one of the sponsors of the Rwanda Premier League.
Several other players and coaches were recognized during the ceremony, which celebrated outstanding performances in the 2025/26 season.
Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, who guided Al Hilal SC during the season, was named Coach of the Year after beating APR FC coach Taleb Abderahim and Rayon Sports coach Haringingo Francis Christian.
Reghecampf was not present at the ceremony as he had already left Al Hilal and joined Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis.
Kiyovu Sports goalkeeper James Bienvenue Desire Djaoyang from Cameroon won the Goalkeeper of the Year award after keeping 17 clean sheets during the season, the highest number recorded in the league.
Liberian forward Emmanuel Flomo of Al Hilal SC was named Young Player of the Year after scoring 12 goals in 16 league appearances, while APR FC striker Cheick Ouattara Djibril claimed the Golden Boot after finishing as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.
Gorilla FC forward Rutonesha Hesborn won the Goal of the Season award for his outstanding strike against Sudanese side El Merreikh SC.
The Team of the Year included four players from Al Hilal SC, two each from Al Merreikh SC and APR FC, alongside representatives from Kiyovu Sports, Mukura VS&L and Marines FC.
The selected team featured goalkeeper James Bienvenue Desire Djaoyang of Kiyovu Sports; defenders Byiringiro Jean Gilbert of APR FC, Daba Sogoba of Al Merreikh SC, Mustafa Muhamed Abdelgader Karshoum and Ernest Luzolo Nsita of Al Hilal SC.
The midfield comprised Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro, Joseph Sackey of Mukura VS&L and El Hadj Madicke Kane of Al Hilal SC, while the attacking line consisted of Girumugisha Jean Claude, Cheick Ouattara Djibril and Mbonyumwami Taiba.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Fidèle Kajugiro Sebarinda, a veteran sports journalist recognized for his contribution to the development and promotion of football in Rwanda.
