Police FC will engage Rayon Sports in a cagey battle at the Muhanga Stadium on Wednesday, April 26 in aPeace Cup quarter finals first leg crunch clash.
The game promises to be exciting as both teams want to go all out and get a good scoreline in order to make the second leg a mere formality.
Police, who are in fresh form after beating APR 2-1 in a league match, will be hoping to keep the same spirit as they want to return to the continental tournament.
They face a Blues side which is back in the league title race after closing gap at the top to within four points after beating Rwamagana City 2-1 on Sunday.
Police FC sailed through after eliminating Sunrise FC in the round of 16 whereas Rayon controversially saw off Intare FC to book their place in the last eight.
The two teams have already met twice this season in the domestic league with Rayon winning the first leg 1-0 on September 8, 2022 while Police FC convincingly beat the Blues 4-2 in the return fixture on April 1.
Fresh from their win over APR FC in the league over the weekend, coach Vincent Mashami has unfinished business ahead of the game.
With Police out of the league title race, the former Amavubi tactician believes the Peace Cup presents the best chance for his team to end the season with some silverware that would guarantee them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
That gives him a reason to take the Rayon game seriously.
"It is a tough game and competition for sure. We know every step we take; it becomes difficult but we have to be ready for the challenge ahead. If you beat a better team, you become the best. We will only focus on each match at a time," said Mashami.
"We have prepared for the match in the best way possible because our target is to win every game ahead of us."
Rayon swallowed a bitter pill against Police FC in their last meeting as they conceded two late goals as the game ended 4-2 and they will be aiming nothing but a revenge during the next two-legged quarter final for them to keep their hopes of winning the Cup.
"We will take it game by game; we have to win this game which can take us to the return leg with a positive mind. It is going to be a very tense game; no one wants to get out of the tournament. Everyone in the club understands very well the value and magnitude of what we are fighting for." Haringingo said
The game will virtually be won in attack with Police FC relying on Didier Mugisha who has been in fantastic form with seven league goals in the second round of the league.
Rayon will also bang their hopes on Leandre Onana who has been the livewire of the team.
Again, Blues’ defense made up of Abdul Rwatubyaye, Didier Mucyo, and Elie Ganijuru have been porous at the back and they need to be at their best to stop Didier Mugisha, Muhadjiri Hakizimana and Savio Nshuti.
The game could go either way with the side which remains resolute at the back and efficient at the back seat to carry the day.
Other Games
Kiyovu will engage Rwamagana City in an early kick off game at the Muhanga Stadium. The first leg in Ngoma ended 32 for Rwamagana but the Green Baggies are firm favorites to overturn the scoreline and qualify.
Musanze FC will host Mukura Victory at Ubworoherane Stadium. The Huye-based side won the first leg 1-0 through a Soter Kayumba's goal.