APR start title defence against Etincelles

Sept. 18 Bugesera vs Kiyovu Mukura vs Police Sept. 19 Muhanga vs Espoir Etincelles vs APR Gicumbi vs Amagaju Sept. 20 AS Kigali vs Rwamagana Sunrise vs Musanze Marines vs Rayon Sports Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) has released the 2015/2016 Azam Rwanda Premier League fixtures with reigning champions APR FC starting their title defense against Etincelles on September 19 at the Tam Tam Stadium in Rubavu. The army side, which signed Djihad Bizimana and Faustin Usengimana from bitter rivals Rayon Sports at the end of last season, will be looking to kick off their campaign on a positive note. “We are training hard for the new season but we have so many players who are currently involved with the national team so it is not easy but we shall be prepared for our first game,” APR head coach Dusan Dule Suljagic, said on Monday. Debutants Bugesera FC will take on SC Kiyovu in their season opener in the topflight league and will be looking to replicate their performance from last season after winning the second division title after beating Rwamagana 2-0 in the final. Bugesera head coach Ali Bizimungu, who will come up against his former employees, told Times Sport that, “Kiyovu is a strong team with a lot of history but we are here to compete.” “We are not here on a tour and we are not here by mistake. We have a young team that has come through the ranks and was built on strong foundations so we want to take that into our first season in the topflight,” noted the former AS Muhanga and Rayon Sports coach. Elsewhere, Peace Cup winners Police FC face Mukura at the Muhanga Stadium on September 18 while league runners-up AS Kigali host debutants Rwamagana on September 20 at Mumena Stadium. Newly promoted AS Muhanga host Espoir in Muhanga on September 18 while Emmanuel Rurememsha’s Gicumbi host on Amagaju. Jimmy Mulisa’s Sunrise, who finished 4th on their debut last season in the top flight division, take on Musanze in Rwamagana while Marines host Rayon Sports on September 20 at the Tam Tam Stadium. Match-day 2 will serve two high profile matches with APR taking on Police on September 25 at Kicukiro Stadium while AS Kigali face Rayon Sports in Muhanga in what should test the Blues, who have signed a couple of Nigerian players in a bid to revamp their competitive face. Most notably, APR take on Rayon Sports on October 24 at Amahoro National Stadium with the Blues seeking revenge for last year’s home and away victories for the record 15-time league champions.