Isonga, Etincelles gatecrash Peace Cup quarter-finals

Sunday Quarter-finals Rayon Sports vs Etincelles APR FC vs Gicumbi Kiyovu SC vs Police FC Isonga FC vs Espoir Relegated sides Isonga and Etincelles found their way to the quarter-finals of the Peace Cup in shocking midweek encounters that saw them overcome AS Kigali and Musanze respectively. Isonga forced a penalty shoot-out against AS Kigali after Olivier Niyonzima equalized in the 91st minute to cancel out Ernest Sugira’s 52nd minute goal. Isonga’s goalkeeper Bonheur Hategekimana saved two penalties to inspire his side to a remarkable victory that has seen them dream of achieving a lot more in the coveted competition. “We are overwhelmed that we eliminated AS Kigali. We never gave up and this is the character I have been telling the players to embrace. We can now dream about bigger things,” explained the Isonga head coach Innocent Seninga. Seninga revealed that his side is eyeing the trophy but for now the focus is on overcoming Rusizi-based side Espoir when they face off tomorrow afternoon at the Muhanga Stadium. The optimistic Seninga added, “Espoir are a tough team but we are going to build on our performance on Wednesday and the players are motivated to search for more success. We’re looking to play a lot better than we did against AS Kigali.” Elsewhere, giants Rayon Sports, APR and Police FC cruised to the last eight with emphatic win over SEC Academy (6-0), Bugesera (4-0) and Sunrise (2-1), respectively, to keep their title hope alive. Police head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo revealed that he was contented with the result and admitted his side faces an uphill task against two-time Cup winners SC Kiyovu who will be looking to win their first Cup trophy since 1985 and first silverware since 1993 when they won the league title.