Police seek to keep setting the pace

Today SC Kiyovu vs Mukura 3:30pm AS Kigali vs Marines Espoir vs Isonga Gicumbi vs Amagaju APR vs Etincelles Sunrise vs Police Sunday Rayon Sports vs Musanze 3:30pm FOR years it has been a cliché for football fans to anticipate APR and Rayon Sports as the title contenders in the National Football League. The other teams are generally labelled title pretenders. However, this might not be the case in this year’s national league. There is a new challenger in the fray with clear credentials to change the status quo. After two games in the national football league; Police FC has displayed an impressive run in style so far and it is the team to watch. Six goals scored including a hat-trick by captain Jacques Tuyisenge is worth writing home about and the manner in which Andre Cassa Mbungo’s side has followed strict instructions to showcase an attractive brand of football has been the heart of his side’s success since he took over in July. It is still early with 24 more games still to play but what better way to make intentions clear this early than to win games convincingly. Mbungo, who was seen shielding Tuyisenge from the press warned his side about getting excited this early and explained that, “We cannot afford to be complacent at this point. We have to continue working hard and improving every week.” The former AS Kigali tactician who clinched bronze at this year’s Cecafa Kagame Cup a month in his new role, admits that he is eyeing the title and is not shy about his intentions. Mbungo’s side faces newcomers Sunrise today in Rwamagana with one mission of picking maximum points to guarantee their stay at the top of the league summit where the law enforcers are joint top with Rayon Sports, both sides having scored six goals and conceded none. In ninth position on the table standings, Sunrise which has already amassed three points courtesy of a 1-0 away win against Marines midweek, will also be eyeing their second consecutive victory. In front of their home fans, Sunrise will be hoping to pull off a surprise victory. Elsewhere, the reigning league champions APR will be up against a winless Etincelles side at the Kicukiro ground today. The military side will be without dependable central defender Emery Bayisenge who is suspended following two yellow cards in the first two games. Despite winning both their opening fixtures, APR has not been convincing to the close eye of the fans but they admit that what matters is a win and three points. Ahead of the cracker against Rayon Sports next Sunday, today’s game can only be a threshold to perfect Ljubomir Petrovic’s tactics. Rayon Sports will be up against Musanze on Sunday afternoon at the Kigali Regional Stadium eyeing a third successive victory in order to keep pace with joint table leaders Police and APR. The Blues want to replicate their midweek form that saw them score five past newcomers Isonga however; interim head coach Sosthene Habimana is quick to admit that such a display is rare on a weekly basis. After a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Police midweek, SC Kiyovu will seek revenge against the visiting Mukura today in a bid to save face and revive title ambitions. Fully backed by their loyal fans, Ali Bizimungu’s side is seeking yet another win at home having defeated Marines 2-0 in their opening game of the season. Mukura is yet to win a game this season let alone pick up a point and today will be a chance to right all the wrongs. AS Kigali will be up against Marines at Kigali Regional stadium in Nyamirambo, while Espoir host newcomers Isonga in Rusizi. Ismail Uwihoreye (Marines) and Eric Moussa Kayiranga (Espoir) are the other suspended players who will not feature for their sides after accumulating two yellow cards.