Champions APR will begin their Primus league defense against newly promoted side Espoir FC, according to the provisional fixtures released recently by the national football federation, Ferwafa.

However, the fixtures still pend approval by Ferwafa General Assembly, which will sit on September 8. The league is scheduled to start on September 17. It will be preceded by the Primus Cup on September 8.

The military side had an easy ride last year after losing just one league match against AS Kigali but the 12 time champions are expected to face the stiffest challenge in years after their main rivals Rayon Sports, Police and Kiyovu beefed up their squads considerably.

Kiyovu, who finished as runners-up last season, start their campaign against Nyanza, while Jean Marie Ntwgabirwa’s Rayon Sports host AS Kigali.

Police will take on La Jeunesse and Rubavu based Marines play Amagaju on the opening weekend. 

Meanwhile, Ferwafa has set September 2 and 8 as the deadline for all transfers to have ended and issuing of international transfer certificates for all new players.

Clubs that will not adhere to the above dates will not use those players in the new season according to the federation Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa.

"This time clubs will not go away with having unlicensed players and bringing in new players after the official deadline of September 2. Players without ITCs will not be allowed to play in the Primus league next season,” Kalisa confirmed.

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