Turbo King League title race going to the wire

Despite Ferwafa’s weird interferences that threatened to end this season prematurely, football has gone on as usual. The city was painted blue last weekend following Rayon Sports’ victory over their great rivals APR.

Friday, March 28, 2014
Ivan Mugisha

Despite Ferwafa’s weird interferences that threatened to end this season prematurely, football has gone on as usual. The city was painted blue last weekend following Rayon Sports’ victory over their great rivals APR.

Rayon Sports won 2-1 last weekend to ensure that the Turbo King League title race would be decided on the very last day of the season, especially with the two front runners going neck to neck.

The Rwandan national league may not be that prestigious like the European leagues, but you have to love its passion and competitiveness. 

Several leagues all over the world have already decided their champions or champions-in waiting, meaning that they have plenty of matches to play for prestige rather than for the title.

In Germany, Bayern Munich has officially claimed the Bundesliga, in Italy, it will take a miracle to get Juventus off the top and in France, PSG is unstoppable. In Spain and England however, we are not yet that sure.

With Real Madrid having slipped to two defeats in under a week, it means that Barcelona are firm favourites, but Atletico Madrid seem to have other ideas. They have fixed their eye to the trophy against all odds and with only eight games left, it would be unwise to count them out.

And in England as usual, it will be all the way to the last game that we know who the champion is. Chelsea and Manchester City are favourites, but like Atletico Madrid in Spain, Liverpool have burst from nowhere to join the race.

Just like in Spain and England, Rwanda has no clear favourite until the dawning moments of the season.

Despite having lost to Rayon Sports, APR have 49 points – the same as their bitterest rivals, while the only thing that separates them is a small goal difference of two. This makes it juicier for the neutrals.

And looking down, the picture is even juicier. Clubs that are in danger of relegation haven’t yet been sorted.

Amagaju FC and Esperance are cemented at 13th and 14th respectively, and will need prayers, luck and hard work to change their fortunes. But the other bottom clubs are not so far away – with only five points separating second last from ninth.

A slight slip up by either one of them and they are swiftly in danger of relegation.

Marines and Muhanga, who are locked at 17 points in 11th and 12th position respectively, will be up against each other tomorrow in what is likely to be the ultimate Game of Death. The winner will look set to avoid the drop, while the loser will be staring closer to the last two relegation spots

Gicumbi in tenth must also ensure that it is on top of its game when it faces relegation bound Amagaju today – which has by the way been on form lately.

Much as it has had its troubles this season, Amagaju put aside Espoir last weekend in a game which they were the underdogs. If Gicumbi puts its guard down, we could see another sweet upset.

For enthusiasts of Rwandan football, these remaining ties are a must watch because they are the ones that will definitely define the season finale, both at the top and bottom.

Twitter: @RushAfrican