Friday AS Kigali Vs APR 15:00

AS KIGALI and archrivals APR square off this afternoon in what could possibly be one of the best matches of the season as the 2019/2020 Rwanda Premier League campaign kicks-off.

The game gets underway 3pm, at Kigali Stadium.

Peace Cup holders AS Kigali, who are seeking their first league silverware since the club’s formation in 2001, are largely seen as one of the main challengers this season following a busy transfer window.

Their aspirations to end the 18-year jinx have been boosted by the recent arrival of former Rayon Sports skipper Pierrot Kwizera, joining a long list of other star signings such as Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima, right-back Michel Rusheshangoga, and Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye.

"When I came back here, I promised to build a team that can challenge for trophies and nothing has changed. And, the league title is our top priority,” Eric Nshimiyimana, the AS Kigali head coach, told this publication an interview on Thursday.

The former APR and Amavubi midfielder rejoined AS Kigali on a year-deal in July, just ten months after firing him for failure to win either the league title or the Peace Cup despite the club spending big during the 2017 summer.

"My squad has quality and depth, and morale is high. We have all it takes for a team to challenge for the title,” he further said.

If the head-to-head record is anything to go by, AS Kigali are favourites for a positive start to their new campaign having won three of the two sides’ last seven meetings, against one for APR. The other three matches ended in stalemates.

Fresh from beating Rayon Sports to clinch the Super Cup on Tuesday, AS Kigali slumped to their worst standing in years last season as they finished in the seventh position.

On the other hand, Moroccan Adil Mohammed Erradi hopes for a winning start with APR as he looks to guide the army side to their record-extending 18th league title.

"We are ready for the first match, as we also are for the new season.”

editor@newtimesrwanda.com