We must win Peace Cup, says APR assistant coach

After sharing the spoils in a one-all draw with champions-elect Rayon Sports on Sundaysubsequently losing the second place in the Azam Rwanda Premier League, APR officials have underlined the importance of winning the Peace Cup if they are to return to the continent next season.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017
APR FC attacking midifielder Hakizimana (C) vies for the ball with Rayon Sports' players in the 1-1 draw at Stade de Kigali last Sunday. rn(Sam Ngendahimana)

Sunday

Rayon Sports       1-1        APR

Etincelles FC        1-1        Bugesera FC

Friday

Musanze FC         4-2        Mukura VS

Sunrise FC            0-1        Espoir FC

Kirehe FC              0-0        Gicumbi FC

Marines FC           1-0        SC Kiyovu

AS Kigali               1-3        Police FC

Pepiniere FC        1-1        Amagaju FC

After sharing the spoils in a one-all draw with champions-elect Rayon Sports on Sundaysubsequently losing the second place in the Azam Rwanda Premier League, APR officials have underlined the importance of winning the Peace Cup if they are to return to the continent next season.

APR assistant coach Yves Rwasamanzi admitted the writing is on the wall for the military side who he said must work hard and win the Peace Cup.

On Saturday, Police FC thrashed AS Kigali 3-1 at Stade de Kigali to climb into second spot with 58 points, one above APR.

APR now need to beat Bugesera FC in their season’s last league game on June 15 and a Police defeat against Marines FC to reclaim their second place.

Even if Police lose their game and APR draw theirs, the former will retain its second spot because of a superior goal different – 46 against APR’s 38.

"We need to win our last game against Bugesera and set up ourselves nicely for the Peace Cup, we must do everything possible to earn something this season” Rwasamanzi said.

"We haven’t done well in the league but we have a chance to correct things in Peace Cup” he added.

In the event that Rayon Sports retain the Peace Cup title, they would represent Rwanda in the CAF Champions League while the team that finished second in the league would represent the country in CAF Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, Pepiniere FC have been relegated back to the second tier league while the other team will be determined on June 15 with Kirehe, Gicumbi and SC Kiyovu all relegation candidates.

To stay in the topflight division SC Kiyovu need to beat Rayon Sports on the final day of the season and hope that 14th-placed Gicumbi FC, who are one point ahead with 28 points, lose to Pepiniere, or Kirehe, who are 13th with 29 points, lose to Mukura VS on the last day of the season.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw