Today, 15:30

Mukura Vs Rayon Gicumbi Vs Bugesera Police Vs Miroplast Amagaju Vs Musanze

After drawing 1-1 against Kenya’s Gor Mahia in the opener of Group D fixtures of the CAF Confederation Cup over the weekend, Rayon Sports face Mukura this afternoon in a game they will need to win to close the gap on the teams above them on the table.

The Blues are third on the standings with a 35-point tally level with fourth-placed Kiyovu but the former have played two games less. A win for Ivan Minneart’s side will see them move to within three points of leaders AS Kigali and two behind second-placed APR.

It is the first time Minneart will be facing his former club Mukura and the Belgian

has warned the hosts that "every game at this particular stage of the title race is very important and on Wednesday we’ll aim for nothing less than three points.”  

"Facing Mukura is very special for Rayon Sports; they are two clubs with a lot of history together in Rwandan football. It’s always a game with a lot of pressure and there is a great significance attached to this fixture. We will play the game like all our title chances depended on it. It’s a must-win for us,” Minneart told Times Sport.

The defending champions will be without injured Faustin Usengimana, Pierrot Kwizera, Shassir Nahimana, Djabel Manahismiwe Olivier Niyonzima.

But they are expected to welcome 22-year old Abdul Rwatubyaye after a 14-month injury layoff. Minneart revealed that he intended to start the former APR defender today.

On the other hand, Mukura are equally keen to collect all three points and head coach Francis Haringingo is confident his players will get the job done.

"We have to create many goal opportunities and be clever in defence at the same time. To beat Rayon, we will have to be as efficient as possible but my boys are up for the job,” Burundian-born Haringingo told Times Sport in a separate interview. 

Elsewhere today, struggling Gicumbi host Bugesera, Police will be entertaining Miroplast at Kigali Stadium, while Amagaju host Musanze in Nyamagabe District.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw