Rwanda Premier League pair APR FC and Marines FC face off Wednesday, April 5, in Peace Cup quarter finals first leg game at the Bugesera Stadium.
Last season's finalists APR FC booked their ticket to the last eight after seeing off second tier side Ivoire Olympique in the round of 16 whereas Marines qualified after defeating cross-town rivals Etincelles 3-1 on aggregate.
ALSO READ: Peace Cup: Marines thrash Etincelles in Rubavu derby
APR have beaten Marines twice this season in the league including a 2-0 victory in the first round held in Kigali on October 12, 2022 before the army side survived a late scare in the second round to win 3-2 at Umuganda Stadium on March 11.
Ben Moussa will be hoping to beat them again in the Peace Cup to keep his hopes of helping the club win the double this season.
On paper, APR are firm favorites to win the game based on their current form against a Marines side which is still fighting to avoid relegation to the second division.
Cup games are, however, unpredictable and it always defies logic which gives Marines also a fair chance.
Moussa might be tempted to rest some of his key players like Gilbert Mugisha and Yannick Bizimana who featured in the 2-1 win over Bugesera in the Premier League week 24 encounter and give Yves Mugunga, who has been struggling for playing time lately, a chance to lead the attack.
ALSO READ: APR FC coach challenges side to win Peace Cup
Marines, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence following their 4-1 thrashing of Musanze on Saturday. Thaibo Mbonyumwami, who scored a brace in that encounter will be the player to watch against APR.
Though APR are miles ahead, the encounter promises to be exciting with good free flowing football. Any of the teams which remains clinical upfront and resolute at the back will win the game.
Other Games
Mukura Victory vs Musanze
Mukura Victory welcome Musanze at Huye Stadium in a game which could go either way.
Musanze eliminated Bugesera to sail through to the last eight while Mukura knocked Rutsiro out of the round of 16.
Musanze’s Peter Agblevor and Mukura’s Mukoghotya are two key players who could determine the outcome of the game on Wednesday afternoon.
Rwamagana City vs Kiyovu
Newly promoted Rwamagana City will put their financial crisis aside and aim for a great scoreline when they welcome Kiyovu at Ngoma Stadium.
The Eastern Province-based side defeated second division club Esperance 3-1 on aggregate to qualify to the quarter finals while Kiyovu also walloped La Jeunesse 5-2 in the same round.
Kiyovu has been a team in the league recently and the club will be looking to keep their form in the Peace Cup when they go to Rwamagana City who could hide behind their ‘underdog’ status to pull a surprise against the Green Baggies.
Police will have to wait for who, between Rayon Sports and Intare FC, will come out as winners of the round of 16 whose second leg has been delayed.
The two clubs have on various occasions been locked in a row with the football governing body (Ferwafa), challenging the federation’s controversial decisions that prompted it to reschedule the match three times.
The federation on Tuesday informed both clubs that the match will take place but it remains unclear when it will take place.