Matchday 11

Feb. 6SC Kiyovu Vs Bugesera FCRayon Sports Vs APR FCEtincelles Vs MiroplastAmagaju FC Vs EspoirSunrise FC Vs Mukura

Feb. 7AS Kigali Vs Kirehe FCMarines Vs Police FCMusanze FC Vs Gicumbi FC

Musanze FC coach Sosthene Habimana is optimistic that his side will bounce back stronger from the relegation zone when the Azam Rwanda Premier League returns on the weekend of February 6-7.

Musanze are in 14th place with 9 points but have played two matches less compared to most of the other league sides that have played 10 matches. However, coach Habimana has said that he is not losing sleep over his team’s current lowly position.

"We are not worried about our current position, which we know is not good enough going by targets that we set before the start of the season,” admitted the former Rayon Sports assistant coach.

Musanze held record 16-time league winners, APR FC to a 1-1 draw in the last match before the break and Habimana was impressed with his team’s performance, which he says, gave him confidence that they can improve and win more than they lose in the remaining 20 league matches.

"The players did extremely well to come from behind to get a valuable point against a big team like APR, who are challenging for the league title. I was particularly impressed with our defending and the fact that we created several scoring chances,” he noted.

Habimana added that he hopes by the time the league returns, all his players will be on form and ready.

"Our key players like Wai Yeka and Peter Otema have both struggled with injuries, which has cost us but I hope they will be back to their full fitness again.”

The Azam Rwanda Premier League has been postponed to February 6-7, to pave way for the national team’s preparation and participation in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2018 finals tournament which is due to be held in Morocco from January 13 to February 4.

The Amavubi squad of 23 arrived in Tunisia on New Year for a 10-day training camp—the team will connect to Morocco on January 11.

Rwanda is placed in Group C of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) alongside 2014 winners Libya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

Antoine Hey’s team will open their Group C encounter against Nigeria on January 15 and then face Equatorial Guinea on January 19 before concluding the group stage against Libya on January 23. The top two teams in Group C will proceed to the last eight.

When the national league returns with matchday 11 fixtures, Musanze will face fellow strugglers Gicumbi FC, while table leaders SC Kiyovu will host Bugesera FC. Rayon Sports will entertain archrivals APR as Etincelles face Miroplast. Amagaju will be up against Espoir, AS Kigali will take on Kirehe FC, Sunrise will host Mukura Victory Sport and Marines will play at home against Police FC. editorial@newtimes.co.rw