AS Kigali keen to maintain momentum

Today Espoir vs AS Kigali 3:30pm APR vs Sunrise Rwamagana vs Rayon Sports Bugesera vs Musanze Kiyovu vs Etincelles Sunday Police vs Gicumbi AS Kigali will go into their match against Espoir FC in Rusizi today seeking to maintain momentum at the top of the Azam Rwanda Premier League table, while Rayon Sports face Rwamagana looking for their first win in three league matches. Eric Nshimiyimana’s team, who are still unbeaten (3 wins, 3 draws) after the first six rounds of matches, aim to edge Alphonse Gatera’s Espoir, who are 9th with eight points, four points off the lead. AS Kigali will be without suspended duo of Latif Bashira and Justin Mico but Nshimiyimana believes their absence is not a big deal. “Espoir are a very tough side especially at home but I am confident we can beat anyone. We are going to Rusizi for a win, 3 points are very important and we are going to do everything possible to win,” former Amavu Stars coach Nshimiyimana said on Friday. About the two suspended players, Nshimiyimana said, “We don’t want to use their absence as an excuse, we have good replacements and I expect whoever gets the nod to play, to give anything less than 100 percent.” Espoir FC coach Gatera was not available for a comment ahead of today’s clash as his known phone number was off. The game will be handled by Abdoulkalim Twagirumukiza, who will be assisted by Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Fidel Hakizimana. The fourth official is Jean Ngabonziza while match commissioner will be Gaspard Kayijuka. Elsewhere, Rayon Sports interim coach Sosthene Habimana admitted that, in Rwamagana City, his team face strong opponents, but noted that the mood in the team camp is good, all players are fit and determined to win after drawing the last two games against Police (1-1) and APR FC (0-0). “I feel no pressure at all, we will go into the game to enjoy ourselves and do our best to get a victory, we are not at our best but I believe we shall get all three points in Rwamagana,” ex-Rayon player, Habimana said. Reigning champions APR entertain Sunrise FC at Kicukiro stadium while SC Kiyovu take on lowly Etincelles at Mumena stadium. On Sunday, second-placed Police FC will be up against Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Gicumbi FC at Kicukiro. Top scorers Isaie Songa Police 5 Rodriguez Murengezi AS Kigali 4 Davis Kasirye Rayon Sports 4 Peter Otema Musanze 4 Christopher Ndayishimiye Mukura 3 League Table Team PD W D L Pts AS Kigali 6 3 3 0 12 Police w 6 3 3 0 12 APR 6 3 2 1 11 Amagaju 6 3 2 1 11 SC Kiyovu 6 2 4 0 10 Mukura 6 3 1 2 10 Rayon Sports 6 2 3 1 9 Gicumbi 6 2 3 1 9 Espoir 6 2 2 2 8 Rwamagana 6 2 1 3 7 Musanze 6 2 1 3 7 Sunrise 6 2 1 3 7 Marines 6 1 1 2 5 Bugesera 6 1 2 3 5 Etincelles 6 1 1 4 4 AS Muhanga 6 0 1 5 1