Peace Cup: APR seen off, Sunrise out to challenge Rayon for final berth
Thursday, August 09, 2018
Rayon Sports players in a past match against Marines. File.

Semi-final, second-leg

Today Rayon    Vs    Sunrise (1-2) Wednesday APR      1-1    Mukura (1-1)

Sunrise interim coach Evariste Ntamugabumwe has challenged his players to have a winning mentality when they visit Rayon Sports in the return-leg of Peace Cup semi-finals today as they bid to reach the tournament’s final for the first time.

The two Azam Rwanda Premier League rivals face off at Kigali Stadium.

"We will need to put in an extra effort in order to reach the final, Rayon are strong opponents and they will be playing at home. We have to be vigilant defensively and efficient in attack,”  Ntamugabumwe told Times Sport yesterday.

Roberto Oliveira Goncalves de Calmo’s Rayon Sports lost the first-leg 2-1 in Nyagatare on Monday. A draw today will be enough for the visitors to reach the August 12 final.

Mukura shock APR to reach in final

Meanwhile, a second half strike from Rachid Mutebi on Wednesday afternoon was enough as the Uganda forward inspired Mukura Victory Sports into their first Peace Cup final in nine years – since 2009 when they lost 1-0 to now-defunct Atraco FC.

Holders APR were held to a 1-all draw and consequently bowed out of the tournament on away goals rule following the two sides’ goalless draw in the first-leg clash at Huye Stadium last week.

APR opened the scoring after six minutes with a fantastic header from Martin Fabrice Twagizimana to take an early lead, which they would hold onto until 17 minutes to stoppage time when Mutebi leveled from Said Iragire’s long pass.

Mutebi’s tie-settling goal was the result of poor communication from APR goalie Yves Kimenyi and his center-backs defenders Aimable Nsabimana and Prince Buregeya, who misjudged the ball.

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