Mukura, Kiyovu go head to head after heavy defeats

SaturdayMukura VS vs SC Kiyovu 3:30Kirehe FC vs EtincellesMusanze vs APR FC Espoir vs Amagaju Marines vs Rayon Sports AS Kigali vs Bugesera SundayPepiniere vs Sunrise FC 3:30pm SC Kiyovu and Mukura Victory Sports face off in the biggest game of match-day four in the national football league on Saturday at Huye Stadium. Mukura, who finished on third position last season, are currently 12th after winning one and losing two of their first three games this campaign, while SC Kiyovu are in 13th place – also with three points. Both teams will be looking for a second win of the season and move a few places up on the table. “This is a big and important match for Mukura and the fans since we are playing at home, we have prepared for it in the best way possible. Our intention will be to get all three points. We want to win the game to close the gap on the top teams,” said Mukura head coach Godfroid Okoko. The Burundian tactician added, “We want to win the game in order to stay near the teams above us in the table, because if you lose many points in the first round, it can cost you a lot in the second round. We will do all we can to win the game against Kiyovu.” SC Kiyovu were humiliated 4-1 at home to Gicumbi FC last weekend but coach Aloys Kanamugire wants his players to forget the loss and win the game against Mukura, who also lost 3-1 at the hands of defending champions APR FC. Kanamugire said, “We have to forget what happened against Gicumbi, that’s in the past now. We need to work harder in the game against Mukura because we want to earn all three points. It will be difficult but we need to make sure that we get a positive result.” “We’re not where we want to be after three matches, that is why we want to win the game on Saturday so badly, it would boost our confidence,” noted the former FERWAFA technical director and former Rwanda U-17 team coach. Elsewhere, today, third-placed APR FC take on Musanze FC, who are in the fifth place, at Nyakinama ground, while newly promoted Kirehe FC, in sixth position with six points, host Etincelles, with Espoir up against bottom side Amagaju FC in Rusizi. APR interim coach Yves Rwasamanzi will be seeking to grab maximum points to go to the top of the table, depending on the results from the other matches. “We will go there with the objective of winning the game. We know Musanze are a good team, especially when they’re playing at home, and can cause problems for any visiting team, but we are prepared to get maximum points” Rwasamanzi said after Thursday’s training season at Mumena stadium. Second-placed Rayon Sports, who beat AS Kigali 2-0 last Sunday, will play away to Marines FC at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu. Leaders Sunrise FC will be hoping to make it four wins in a row when they visit second from bottom Pepiniere, who are still without a point, in the only league fixture on Sunday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw