Football enthusiasts await a super Sunday derby between Rwanda’s two heavyweights and bitter rivals APR FC and Rayon Sports, with the pair getting set to lock horns in the first round of the Primus National League at Kigali Pele Stadium. It’s a derby that has, for the past two decades, been producing great euphoria and tensions among players and fans from both sides and, hopefully, Sunday’s league won’t be any different. Times Sport looks at five key battles to look out for as Kigali gears up for the football rendezvous. Joackiam Ojera vs Christian Ishimwe The pair’s last meeting in the 2023 Super Cup in August was not balanced at all as Ojera went past Ishimwe twice to set up two goals in his side's 3-0 win. The APR left -back might have learnt valuable lessons from that day when he struggled to cope with the Ugandan attacker’s pace and physique. Going into Sunday's game, Ishimwe will be on a mission to seek redemption and would want to stop Ojera throughout the game. In his elements, the Ugandan is unplayable, but Ishimwe has improved his defensively as well. A single mistake could cost APR but stopping him will surely kill Blues’ entire play. ALSO READ: Photos: Ojera punishes APR to inspire Blues to 2023 Super cup glory Omborenga Fitina vs Arsene Tuyisenge On the other flank, it will be tricky winger Arsene Tuyisenge against APR skipper Omborenga Fitina sorting things out. APR coach Thierry Froger adapted to a cautious strategy by pulling out his skipper against Etincelles as he was on two yellow cards and a third one would have seen him suspended from playing the derby. Omborenga will be looking to stop Tuyisenge who is likely to start in place of Youssef Rharb on the wings in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Moroccan is suspended due to indiscipline. ALSO READ: Rayon, APR FC renew rivalry ahead of Rwandan classico Victor Mbaoma vs Abdul Rwatubyaye Rayon Sports skipper Abdul Rwatubyaye has not been much convincing since returning to the club. He hasn't been the same player after that injury in Macedonia which kept him out of football action for nine months. In the week 7 game against Musanze, he was completely run over by Peter Agblevor and coming up against in-form Victor Mbaoma who is the league's second top scorer, we look to see how things unfold. There could certainly be the hero and the villain of the derby. Ismail Nshimirimana vs Heritier Luvumbu Luvumbu will be going into the game with much confidence after scoring a hat trick during Blues’ 3-0 victory over Sunrise FC on October 22. The Congolese midfield maestro will have to go up against APR Ismail Nshimirimana in the battle the midfield on Sunday. Nshimirimana has always been Rayon’s dark horse even during his time at Kiyovu before he moved to APR FC in July. It will be a tight contest in midfield, and one must shut the other down before operating. Gilbert Mugisha vs Isaac Mitima Mugisha has been lively for APR in attack, and he has been deadly the wing, contributing some crucial goals for Mbaoma. Mugisha can play as a second striker which means he will directly face Isaac Mitima who has been impressive so far this season as he is the main man who clears the dirty work in Blues’ backline. He has a tough task to handle Mugisha’s attacking threat with the forward primed to cause havoc against his former side.
