Kiyovu, Mukura battle for vital league points

SaturdaySC Kiyovu vs Mukura 3:30pmAmagaju vs EspoirGicumbi vs Police FCBugesera FC vs AS Kigali SundayRayon Sports vs Marines 3:30pmEtincelles vs KireheSunrise vs Pepiniere SC Kiyovu and Mukura Victory Sports will each be looking for a win to bag all points when they face-off today in match-day 19 of the national football league at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo. Although Mukura finished in third position last season, they have struggled to reproduce the same form this season and are currently in 13th place with 19 points after winning four, drawing seven and losing seven games. Kiyovu are in 11th place, one point above their opponents, having won five, drawn five and lost eight of their 18 matches. Both teams will be looking for nothing less than a win to move a few places up on the table. Mukura won the corresponding fixture 2-1 back in November. “We have struggled since the season started but we don’t have a choice but to go out and try to win more matches than we lose, starting with Saturday’s game against Kiyovu. We have prepared in the best way possible. Our intention is to get all three points,” said Mukura head coach Ivan Mineart. Meanwhile, his counterpart Aloys Kanamugire, said that, “Getting three points could be the turning point as far as where we want to finish at the end of the season, is concerned.” Elsewhere, 12th-placed Amagaju, who lost to Police FC last weekend, will be seeking for a good result when they host seventh-place Espoir, who lost to Rayon Sports 2-0 in midweek. Gicumbi FC, who are second from bottom but fresh from shocking defending champions APR 1-0 in midweek, will be hoping to make third-placed Police their next victim at Stade de Gicumbi. In Nyamata, Bugesera FC, in fifth place with 33 points, will be up against fourth-placed Eric Nshimiyimana’s AS Kigali, who have a two point lead over Bugesera. Victory for Vincent Mashami’s unbeaten team (at home) would take them above their opponents. Speaking ahead of the game, Mashami said, “Our aim remains the same, to continue getting as many points as possible. AS Kigali poses a big threat but we’re confident and also have an excellent home record, so hopefully, we can keep our unbeaten run at home.” Meanwhile, Rayon Sports, who lead the table with 40 points from 17 matches, will host Marines on Sunday at Kigali Stadium. Djuma Masudi’s team took another step in the effort to win their first league title since 2013 when they beat Espoir 2-0 courtesy of goals from Moustapha Sengiyumva and new Malian signing Tidiane Kone on Wednesday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw