With the league title out of their reach, Francis Christian Haringingo is keen on guiding his Mukura Victory Sports side to a second consecutive Peace Cup crown so as to return to continental football next season.
The 2019 Peace Cup will start in June, Times Sport has learned.
The holders will face stiff competition from record nine-time winners APR, Rayon Sports, Police, AS Kigali and SC Kiyovu among other contenders.
"Now that we know it is [almost] impossible to win the league title, what is left for us is to retain the Peace Cup if we are to play continental football next season,” said Haringingo.
With eight match rounds to go, Mukura lie third on the Azam Rwanda Premier League table with 45 points, trailing leaders and defending champions APR by nine points, and are three behind second-placed Rayon Sports.
Haringingo says that his players have been in fantastic form since winning the 2018 Peace Cup last August, but challenged them to – once again – cement their ‘elite status’ in the quest for title defence.
He appealed to his players: "We are going to be the target for every challenger, we cannot underrate any opponent.”
After tasting relative success in the Caf Confederation Cup this season, in which they reached the playoff round, the Burundian tactician is determined to make a quick return to continental stage.
"We had a good run in the competition, and with the experience we gained, I believe we can do better in our next outing. It was a good learning curve for the whole team, from players to management. I would love to return to African football next season,” he stated.
Meanwhile, according Bonnie Mugabe, the head of competitions and spokesperson at Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa), the registration is open for teams to confirm their participation in the annual competition.
Peace Cup, the country’s second biggest club competition, is open to all teams – including amateur (non-league) clubs.
Mukura clinched last year’s Peace Cup title after edging Rayon Sports 3-1 in penalty shootouts following a goalless draw in regular time and 30 minutes of extra-time. It was the Huye outfit’s first major title since 1992.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com