Bugesera FC will welcome Kiyovu Sports at Nyamata Sports Stadium in an intriguing Rwanda premier league week one fixture on Friday.
Since the inception of the Rwanda premier league, the two teams have met eleven times with Bugesera winning twice, drawing four and losing five whereas Kiyovu has also won five, lost two and drawn four.
Last season, the two games between Bugesera and Kiyovu in the league ended goalless and 1-1 respectively.
In four preseason games, Bugesera won three and drew one. They scored eleven games and conceded just one goal.
Bugesera skipper Bryan Muhinda insists they are well prepared for the game with Kiyovu and boasted that they will take maximum points from the Green Baggies.
"Our preseason in Bugesera was good, we prepared well with our coaches and we played 4 games without losing any of them. I can say we are ready to fight this coming season,” Muhinda told Times Sport.
"Expectations for the game with Kiyovu are high. I’m ready to face them because it’s a big team and last season they were second. We have no alternative than to beat them this time on our home grounds.”
A lot will depend on skipper Bryan Muhinda and his charges at the back as they need to hold the likes of Abedi Bigirimana, Emmanuel Okwi, Fred Muhozi and Bienvenue Mugenzi for the whole duration of the game.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Province, top flight football returns to Nyagatare Sports Stadium for the first time in two years and it is expected to be a charged atmosphere as Sunrise FC welcomes Police FC.
Sunrise FC had a great preseason which included wins against APR FC and coach Innocent Seninga will be hoping to replicate that in his first league game.
Police FC have lost their precious asset Muhadjiri Hakizimana who has signed for Al Kholood in Saudi Arabia and Sunrise FC striker Samson Babuwa says they will capitalize on the loopholes in Vincent Mashami’s side.
"The game is a difficult game but we are motivated, we have a lot to prove. Sunrise is a very good club and difficult to play with. Expectations are high.” Babuwa told this publication.
"The pre-season matches I watched indicate that Police FC have many flaws and we are going to exploit their weaknesses. Expectations are high, we are surely the underdogs because we are a newly promoted team but this is our first game in front of our fans and we will go all out to get the win.”
"We have to restore the honour of Golgota stadium and make it a fortress again.” He added.
At the Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo, AS Kigali will welcome Etincelles in a crunch duel as two games between them last season all ended in a draw.
Etincelles new signing Moro Sumaila is unfazed about last season’s Peace Cup winners and is optimistic his team can get a good result away from home.
"For me personally, I do not see it as a big game. It is just a normal encounter. We will implement what our coaches have taught us and we will come from Kigali with at least a point.”
The other match day 1 fixtures on Friday August 19, will see APR FC host Musanze, Rwamagana City will battle Gorilla, Gasogi will entertain Mukura and Rayon Sports take on Rutsiro.