Police face Sunrise in Agaciro Cup final

Sunday Third place playoff Rayon Sports vs Musanze 1:30pm Final Police vs Sunrise 3:30pm Police FC coach Andre Casa Mbungo will be looking to guide his team to a second trophy in as many months when the reigning Peace Cup champions take on Sunrise in the final of this year’s Agaciro Development Fund Cup on Sunday at Amahoro National Stadium. Speaking to Saturday Sport ahead of tomorrow’s final, Mbungo expressed optimism about his team’s chances against Jimmy Mulisa’s Sunrise side, which will come into the game seeking to win a first ever major trophy in the club’s history. “We know the game will be tough but we will try to cause them problems and also minimize any possible mistakes because Sunrise are very organized under Jimmy (Mulisa) and are capable upsetting anyone as we saw with what they did against Rayon Sports (in the semi-final),” he said yesterday. With less than three weeks before the start of the 2015/16 season on September 18, Mbungo will field his strongest possible team, “I am trying to build a consistent team, which is capable of challenging for trophies, starting with winning the Agaciro Cup.” Mbungo expects a serious challenge from the Sunrise, who finished fourth last season on their debut in the national football league. “We are good enough to beat anyone but Sunrise have proved they are no pushovers, so we will have to give our best to win this tournament as it will bring the winning mentality in my team ahead of the season,” explained confident Mbungo. While Mbungo is looking to win a third trophy in his coaching career, his counterpart Mulisa will have other ideas as he continues to stamp his mark since being appointed Sunrise FC head coach two months ago. At 31 years, Mulisa will be youngest coach in the local league next season. (S. Ngendahimana) The former Rwanda international said, “We know what we want, which is to win this competition and I believe we are capable of doing that. All teams here (Rwanda) are all at same level, therefore, we will go into the game on Sunday with an objective of winning.” En-route to the final, Rwamagana-based Sunrise defeated the likes of SC Kiyovu, AS Kigali and Rayon Sports. “I am happy that we have reached the final after beating some strong teams in the country, so we are ready for the final, I am trying to change the philosophy of the players and make them winners,” Mulisa noted. Sunrise reached the final after seeing off Rayon Sports 2-0 on post match penalties after a goalless draw after normal time in semi-final at Amahoro stadium last Sunday. Police booked their place in the final after defeating Musanze FC 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Isaie Songa while Didier Nkurunziza scored the lone goal for Musanze. The final will be preceded by the third place playoff between Musanze and Rayon Sports, kickoff at 1:30pm. editorial@newtimes.co.rw