Kiyovu face APR in quarter-finals

SC KIYOVU will be hoping to end APR’s hopes for a league and cup double when the two sides clash in the quarter-final of the Peace Cup today at Kigali Regional Stadium.

Friday, June 24, 2016
SC Kiyovu striker Andre Lomami (R) will be hoping to hurt his former club APR FC in the Peace Cup quarter-finals. (Sam Ngendahimana)

SaturdayAPR FC vs SC Kiyovu 3:30Amagaju FC vs AS KigaliAS Muhanga vs EspoirRayon Sports vs Gicumbi FC 6pm

SC KIYOVU will be hoping to end APR’s hopes for a league and cup double when the two sides clash in the quarter-final of the Peace Cup today at Kigali Regional Stadium.

The Mumena-based side have their eyes set on winning this year’s Peace Cup, according to head coach Yves Rwasamanzi, whose team beat Sunrise FC in the last round in midweek, thanks to a late penalty by former Rwanda international striker Andre Lomami.

The winner of this clash, the biggest game of the quarters, will book a date against the winner between AS Muhanga and Espoir, who also faceoff today at Huye Stadium.

Rwasamanzi, who has not won this competition, is determined to win today’s game, then focus on the rest of the campaign as Kiyovu seek to win a major trophy since 1993.

The oldest club in Rwanda, which won the 2010 preseason tournament under the late Jean Marie Ntagwabira; have won the league title three times—in 1983, 1992 and 1993 as well as the Peace Cup in 1975 and 1985.

"We are focused on winning the Peace Cup, it’s a knockout competition where anyone can beat anyone and our target will be to reach the final and win the trophy,” Rwasamanzi said after his team’s win against Sunriseon Wednesday.

He added, "Our record (against APR) is not very good, but I think this team can do better. We know it will be difficult against APR but we are determined to reach the semi-finals.”

His counterpart of APR FC, Nizar Khanfir said, "The aim is to win the competition but we also have to play the attractive football.”

In their past 26 meetings, APR have 19 wins, against two for SC Kiyovu while five matches have ended in draws. APR FC have won the last 13 meetings in a row.

In the late kickoff at the same venue, last year’s losing finalists Rayon Sports will be up against Gicumbi FC and the winner will meet the victor of the quarter-final clash between AS Kigali and Amagaju FC at Muhanga Regional Stadium.

The winners of the quarter-finals will book places in the semi-final round which will be played over a two-legged format on June, 28 and July 1 with winners proceeding to the final which will be played on July 4.

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