Saturday

AS Kigali Vs Proline 15:00

AS Kigali skipper Haruna Niyonzima has urged his teammates to make the most of home advantage when they take on Ugandan side Proline in the CAF Confederation Cup at Kigali Stadium on Saturday. 

The City of Kigali-sponsored side host Proline in the first leg of their first round tie, with the decisive clash scheduled for September 28 in Kampala.

Niyonzima challenged AS Kigali players to fight for a big win and avoid conceding as it would give the visitors an away goal advantage.

"We have to fight for a big win at home, and avoid conceding. It is the best way to boost our chances of progressing to the next round,” the former Rayon Sports and APR midfielder told Saturday Sport in an interview on Friday.

The 29-year-old will miss Saturday’s first-leg due to his unsolved double identity issue in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), but he will be cleared to feature in the reverse encounter in two weeks.

Niyonzima, who joined AS Kigali in July, also missed the club’s preliminary round double-header against Tanzania’s KMC, whom they stunned 2-1 in Dar es Salaam to reach the first round after both sides had played a goalless draw in Kigali.

Regarded as one of the most decorated players in regional football, Niyonzima won seven Tanzania Premier League titles; five with Young Africans and two with Simba SC, between 2012 and 2019, before his surprise signing to AS Kigali.

Meanwhile, Proline coach Shafiq Bisaso has told his players to ‘relax and execute’ their game plan, instead of adjusting to their opponents’ style.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com