Police HC will be all out to avenge against their domestic rivals APR when both sides square off in Friday’s Game 1 of the national handball league finals at Petit Stade. The two local handball heavyweights are back in contention for the title in what promises to be a mouthwatering finals series. APR took the title away from Police when the two sides played against each other in the finals last season but Antoine Ntabanganyimana insists it is going to be a different story this time round they look to avenge in this year’s final. “This is big match for us (Police). APR beat us last season and we can’t afford to lose against them again,” Ntabanganyimana said. “We have rectified whatever went wrong in past matches. I have challenged my players to perform better during the first game which will be the key to following matches” APR and Police will square off in the finals for the second season in a row. APR emerged victorious last season and Ntabanganyimana is using their previous setbacks as a motivation driving them ahead of this year’s finals. ALSO READ: Handball: Habimana optimistic Police can win league title “Players have a winning spirit in their daily work I can see them and I believe that this year will be deferent from last year. We are focused than before. We are ready to challenge them and we are only aiming to win,” he noted. Police played warm up match against fifth placed in league UB Sports Club where they draw 32-32. APR HC may miss the service of one of their best players in goalkeeper Arsene Uwayezu who has been sick. However, their star players Anthony Lam from Uganda, Elysé Muhumure and Jean Paul Muhawenayo are all available for Game 1’ However, Police HC has three big players who will help the club to overcome APR include Samuel Mbesutunguwe, Yves Kayijamahe and Emmanuel Kubwimana. ALSO READ: Handball: Police, APR book playoffs final The finals will be played in a best-of-five series format to determine the winner of the league in men’s category. To reach the final, Police won the best-of-three semifinal series after dominating Musanze in first two games. The first game ended 40-20 in favor of the law enforcers who also won the second game 48-19 while APR beat ADEGI 36-21 and 39-22 in second game to book a place in the final.
