Today AS Kigali Vs Rayon Mukura Vs Etincelles Marines Vs Sunrise AS Kigali host Rayon Sports this afternoon at Kigali Stadium in a vital league match that could see the former snatch the top spot . A win for the Kigali City side would take them one point clear of APR at the top of the table and boost their hopes of winning their first ever topflight football title. And head coach Eric Nshimiyiamana says his men are determined to collect all three points against the defending champions today. The former Peace Cup winners hold the longest unbeaten run – 15 games – in the 2017/2018 campaign. Nshimiyimana told Times Sport the clash will be a major test for his side’s readiness to fight for the league title and ability to absorb pressure and remain focused on the prize in the later stages of the campaign. “Apart from Eric (Nsabimana), who’s injured, everyone else is fit and ready for the match. We want to win the league and to do so we have to work hard and get good results against top teams,” the former Rwanda international said on Tuesday. He further noted that, “Rayon is a club that I have respect for, they are a strong team with quality players. However, we are not afraid of them.” Heading into today’s match, AS Kigali are in second place with 48 points (from 23 games) behind leaders APR (50 points), while Rayon Sports are in fourth with 40 points from 21 games. While Rayon boast one of the meanest defences in the league this season, AS Kigali have the most lethal striking line in the division. Forward Jean Claude Ndarusanze is the league’s leading scorer with 12 goals, with his teams having scored a total of 46 goals this season. Nevertheless, Rayon Sports are aware of what AS Kigali are capable of. Their captain and goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye is confident his side will emerge the winners today. “For us every game now is a do-or-die. Our target is to retain the league title and that can only be possible if we don’t drop points in our remaining nine league fixtures,” he said. “Everyone on the team understands the magnitude of the task that lies ahead and we are working hard to reach our goal.” So far, Ivan Minneart’s Rayon have the most solid backline in the Azam Rwanda Premier League this season, alongside APR, both sides having conceded 13 goals each this season. In their last 17 meetings Rayon have won the most, seven against AS Kigali’s four, with the other games ending in draws. Elsewhere, today, Mukura host Etincelles at Huye Stadium, while Marines will be up against Sunrise at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
