Rwamagana City FC need miracle to avoid relegation

Match Day 30 SundayMukura VS vs Bugesera FCSC Kiyovu vs AS MuhangaPolice FC vs Etincelles FCEspoir FC vs Gicumbi FCAPR FC vs AS KigaliAmagaju FC vs Sunrise FCRwamagana City vs Marines FCMusanze FC vs Rayon Sports FC Rwamagana City FC fans are nervously gnawing at their nails hoping to retain their status in the topflight division. As the season enters its final game on Sunday, Francois Kalisa’s team need a miracle to escape relegation to the second tier at the first time of asking. The Eastern Province-based side host Marines FC in their last fixture at Rwamagana Police ground where they will need to win and pray that fellow strugglers Musanze FC don’t get anything from their match against Peace Cup winners, Rayon Sports, who are already assured of finishing second, behind champions APR. Musanze FC, on 26 points, one ahead of Rwamagana, can guarantee their top division status - and condemn Rwamagana City and AS Muhanga (already relegated) to the second division by beating or drawing against Rayon Sports at Nyakinama ground. George Ssemwogerere’s Musanze have won six games, lost eight and drawn 15 while Rwamagana have managed to win six games, drawn seven and lost 16. The only scenario for Rwamagana City to avoid the drop back to the second tier division is by them beating Marines and Musanze lose against Rayon Sports. Head coach Kalisa knows it is not yet over, “We’re still in the fight, we still have a chance and we can survive if we can win our last game and Musanze lose to Rayon Sports.” “It would be a great relief for the whole club if the players can do it against Marines. If its points you need on the last day it’s even more unpredictable to decide what happens. The only thing we can do is to prepare for our match and try to win,” he noted. Rwamagana City, are second bottom on the table, just above already relegated AS Muhanga. Meanwhile, APR FC will be crowned champions on Sunday regardless of the outcome of their final league match against fourth-placed AS Kigali at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo. APR FC won a record-extending 16th league title last week on Thursday without kicking a ball after their closest challengers Rayon Sports slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat against already relegated AS Muhanga. With one match remaining, APR lead the 16-team table standing with 67 points while Rayon Sports are in second place with 61 points, four ahead of Mukura Victory Sports. Third-placed Mukura VS will be up against Ali Bizimungu’s Bugesera FC, who are in 7th place at Huye Stadium, while sixth-placed SC Kiyovu host AS Muhanga at Mumena stadium. Police FC will play against their new coach Innocent Seninga, who will be taking charge of his final game with Etincelles FC. Espoir FC will meet Gicumbi FC while Amagaju FC face Sunrise FC. APR FC will represent Rwanda in next year’s CAF Champions League while arch-rivals Rayon Sports will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup. Meanwhile, the league top scorer will earn Rwf1m, and the battle for that prize is between Mukura VS forward Muhadjili Hakizimana, with 15 goals, SC Kiyovu striker Andre Lomami and Danny Usengimana (Police FC), who both have 14 goals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw