Semi-finals (first-leg)

Wednesday

Rayon     Vs    AS Kigali    15:00

Thursday

Police     Vs    Kiyovu       15:00

Djabel Manishimwe has urged his Rayon Sports teammates to show mental strength and desire to win when they take on AS Kigali in their semi-finals first leg of the Peace Cup on Wednesday.

The game kicks off 3pm at Kigali Stadium.

Manishimwe, 21, is the interim captain of the Blues following Thierry Manzi’s controversial departure from the club last week after the two parties failed to agree on personal terms.

"We have the necessary mental strength and burning desire to win against anyone right now. And AS Kigali are offering us a good test to prove it again,” said the young midfielder, before cautioning his Blues teammates not to get ahead of themselves against a ‘tricky’ AS Kigali side.

Rayon are looking to go one step better this time round after their nightmare defeat to Mukura in last year’s final. The latter were seen off by Kiyovu a fortnight ago in the round of last-16.

However, AS Kigali also have ambitions of their own and midfielder Eric Nsabimana is confident his side can go past frontrunners Rayon despite the odds saying otherwise.

He said: "We have to be ready for both matches, and approach each like it is the final. We are not scared, and (Rayon) being favourites on paper won’t have us intimidated.”

This is the second time AS Kigali and Rayon are meeting in the 2019 Peace Cup tournament after the two teams faced off in the first round where they played out a 1-all draw over two legs before Rayon prevailed 4-2 on penalties. However, AS Kigali also progressed to the next round among the best losers.

In another semi-finals tie; Police face SC Kiyovu on Thursday.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com