Former champions Rayon Sports and arch rivals SC Kiyovu will face off in what pundits say is the second biggest match in the Rwanda Premier League, on Friday, November 11. Kick-off time is 6:00 pm. There will be a lot at stake for both sides. They are separated by one point, in the first and second position, with former champions Rayon Sports leading the standings with 18 points after six rounds. Hosts, SC Kiyovu, go into the match with a big task at hand. They must not settle for less than a win so as to keep pace in the run for the title. SC Kiyovu is in the second position after five wins, two draws, and one loss in eight games. Rayon head coach Francis Christian Haringingo, who guided SC Kiyovu to second place last season, said that it is a game that he will take seriously as they want to keep the unbeaten run. “This is a big and important match for Rayon Sports, and we have prepared for it in the best way possible. Our purpose will be to win the game. We want to win the game to stay in the race of the title contenders,” Haringingo said. Haringingo is confident and optimistic about securing maximum points as his side seeks to set a big gap for their closest teams. Not only will Rayon Sports be looking to close the gap at the top, but they will also be fighting to avoid losing to their traditional arch rivals twice in one season following their defeat in the final of Made in Rwanda Cup in October. “The players know the task ahead and the challenge we’re faced with, so motivation won’t be a problem for us. We are ready, and our aim is to win,” he added. Rayon Sports were struggling with injuries including captain Abdul Rwatubyaye, Eric Mbirizi, and Raphael Osalue. Onana Léandre returned to training after missing the last three matches. Rayon Sports are looking to end the club’s three-year trophy drought by guiding the team to the league title. In the last nine matches played in all competitions, Rayon Sport has won three while SC Kiyovu won four, and drawn two times. SC Kiyovu played a 2-2 draw against Rutsiro FC but coach Alain Andre Landeut wants to forget the two points they failed to get and win the game against Rayon Sports. Rayon Sports are chasing the 10th title while Kiyovu is eyeing its first league title since 1994. “We have to forget what happened, that’s the past. We need to work hard for the game against Rayon because we want to earn all points. It will be difficult against them but we need to make sure that we snatch the points,” Landeut said. Billed as one of the biggest football fixtures in the country, and one of the fiercest derbies in Kigali, there is no love lost whenever the Green Baggies and the blues go head-to-head. The clash will not be any different from past encounters. The game has always produced entertainment, goals, and at times, drama. SC Kiyovu has won seven league titles, three trophies, and one super cup, and was the only Rwandan club to go a whole season unbeaten in 1990 since its establishment in 1964. Rayon Sports has won the title nine times ever since it was established in 1968. Rayon is the most supported club in the country and has been in the limelight ever since the 60s until the mid-90s when APR came to the scene. This particular meeting is of significant importance to the destiny of this year’s league title. A win for Rayon Sports will increase their chances of winning the league title with four points clear at the top of the table. Kiyovu’s victory will do exactly the opposite as they will go two points ahead of Rayon Sports.
