SC Kiyovu’s 6-0 thumping of Gicumbi FC last weekend which moved the team to the summit of the Rwanda premier league has elicited debate on whether the club can finally challenge APR for this season’s league title. The Mumena-based side have become a completely different force to reckon with since Burundian Francis Haringingo took over as head coach in July last year and are increasingly positioning themselves as potential candidates for the league title. With 11 games to go, the pair have 33 points to play for to decide whether the Green Baggies can finally end their 29 year-wait for silverware. Kiyovu has been in fine form and haven’t lost any of the past four matches in the second half of the league campaign, collecting all 12 points in the process. The club has managed to maintain consistency as opposed to previous seasons where they used to play well in the first leg of the league campaign and, to the surprise of its supporters, end the season in the middle of the table. With Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi back to his best after a slow start at the club, striker Bienvenue Mugenzi in a scoring form and skipper Yves Kimenyi looking a better goalie between the sticks, Kiyovu is proving their title credentials. Sunday’s result against Gicumbi has shown the players have a winning mentality and are ready to fight for their coach Haringingo, a familiar figure who has shown that he can build a strong team ready to challenge for a title like he did at Mukura when he inspired them to the 2018 Peace Cup, something that qualified the team to the CAF Confederation Cup. Ahmed Hakizimana, a Kiyovu fan who has supported the club since 2003, said the team should take advantage of every chance and is confident winning the title is a possibility. “This is the first time in a long time that I have seen Kiyovu taking every game seriously and this is what we have been waiting for. We thank the players, coach and the club management which has got everything right this season. We are confident that we can finally win the league,” said Hakizimana. Meanwhile, APR has been dropping points since Mukura VS ended their 50-match unbeaten run earlier in February. The army side managed only seven points from the past four games, having won two games, a draw against archrivals Rayon Sports and a defeat against Musanze. Kiyovu has taken advantage of APR’s poor form and both teams are tied at the top of the table with 41 points, separated by goal difference. APR has a two goal difference over Kiyovu. With the current situation, Kiyovu can push for a title should they remain consistent in the next fixtures, according to sports journalist Jean Luc Imfurayacu. “Kiyovu has been consistent and this is paying dividends. They beat AS Kigali and Police and their form is showing no sign of slowing down. It’s almost 30 years without a trophy but the team is obviously excelling. They have become a free-scoring team,” said Imfurayacu. The two title contenders will play each other on May 14.
