Kaizer Chiefs’ new catch Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana has been described as a quick and powerful striker who can take on defenders and is equally good in aerial combats.
FARPost contacted Burundian sports journalist Armand Nisabwe, who has followed the towering forward from his youth football days, for an insight into the striker’s attributes.
“Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana is a great striker,” Nisabwe tells FARPost.
“He was spotted at a young age. It was during a friendly match between a big Burundian club, Inter Stars, and his youth club that he was seen.
“With his performance, all the clubs were won over. He only played for the big clubs in Burundi before going elsewhere.”
He added that the 1.94m striker could penetrate the tightest defences due to his quick feet and dribbling ability.
“Taller, able to shoot with both feet with power, quick and comfortable in dribbling, good in aerial balls, this makes him a formidable striker,” the reporter, who works for EJO, added.
However, like all footballers, Bimenyimana has some rough areas that Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane must work on for the forward to become a polished diamond.
After all, age is on the side of the forward for him to improve.
“The only problem with him is that sometimes, he lacks maturity in the conclusion of the game.
“He can eliminate all defenders and miss the goal in a surprising situation. This is where the coach should come in. Except that, Bonfils Caleb is a good deal for Kaizer Chiefs,” Nisabwe said.
Seasoned Rwandan sports journalist Jean Butoyi said he remembers the Burundian international from his days at Rayon Sport when he helped them to reach the Confederation Cup group stages.
“He is a good striker with the talent, and I know that after Rayon Sports, he went to play outside the country in Slovenia,” he tells FARPost.
Chiefs announced via their website that they had signed Bimenyimana on a two-year deal with a further one-year option.
The tall forward began his Club football at Vital’O in Burundi in 2016 before moving on to Rayon Sport in Rwanda, according to the Chiefs website.
The Burundian also played football in European countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.
Bimenyimana, who underwent three-week trials with the Amakhosi in July this year, last played club football at FC Kaysar Kyzylorda in Kazakhstan.
He is the second Burundian to play for Chiefs after defender Valery Nahayo, who played for Amakhosi from 2008 to 2011.
“Bimenyimana is highly experienced and has played in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup with his former Club Rayon Sport of Rwanda.
“He scored three goals in six games in the 2018 edition of the Confederation Cup as his team made it to the quarter-finals,” Chiefs’ website reads.
The 24-year-old is capped 17 times and has four goals to his credit.
