APR face Kiyovu hurdle, Espoir host AS Kigali

Etincelles vs Police Espoir vs AS Kigali Rayon Sports vs Marines Gicumbi vs Sunrise Musanze vs Mukura Isonga vs Amagaju SC Kiyovu vs APR League leaders APR will be looking to boost their title charge with victory against SC Kiyovu this afternoon at Mumena stadium as they seek a perfect run to the end of the National Football League season. The army side is hoping to return to winning ways following their 1-1 draw against Gicumbi on Wednesday and coach Dusan Suljagic believes his side has what it takes to finish the season on a high. APR has 48 points from 23 games and need to win two of their remaining three games to bag their 15th record league title. However, they face a Kiyovu side that is keen on finishing in the top 4. The Nyamirambo side is in 6th place, two points off the top 4. “Kiyovu is a good team and we respect them but we shall do everything possible to emerge victorious,” explained Dusan Suljagic, head coach APR. The Serbian tactician will be relying on the striking duo of Bertrand Iradukunda and Issa Bigirimana who scored in APR’s 2-0 win against Amagaju a fortnight ago to inspire his side. However, in Kiyovu the reigning league champions face a side seeking revenge for their 5-0 loss to APR in the first round, a humiliation that did not go down well with the Nyamirambo-based side. Second-placed AS Kigali travel to Rusizi to face Espoir with the former eyeing victory to keep pressure on APR who are four points ahead. Eric Nshimiyimana conceded that his side’s title chances are slim after they fell to Rayon Sports 1-0 last month in Muhanga but mathematically AS Kigali can still win the league title. Rayon Sports host Rubavu-based side Marines at the Muhanga Stadium while Police FC travels to Rubavu to face the struggling Etincelles. Bottom-placed Isonga hosts Amagaju at the Kicukiro Stadium in search of their second win this season. Innocent Seninga’s side has only managed to win once this season, over Espoir and has drawn eight times and lost 11 times but the tactician is impressed with the players’ improvement on both an individual and squad level. “Even though we have lost so many games, I am pleased to say that we have really improved as a team and looking at the players, they are all teenage school going children and the experience they have gained from these games has been tremendous,” explained Seninga. Going into today’s game Seninga will once again be hoping for victory despite admitting that Amagaju is a strong team considering their current position on the table, eighth on the log with 30 points, four behind fourth placed Rayon Sports. In the other game of the day, Musanze will host Mukura with the former hoping to avoid relegation with three games to the end of the season. Musanze has 25 points, four above 13th placed Etincelles and head coach Hussein Barrack is keen on avoiding relegation.