Over the years in the Rwandan Premier League, at least one of the newly promoted teams has been relegated after the season. The 2021/2022 season saw both Gicumbi and Etoile saying goodbye to the elite division after just one season in the topflight league. The trend could, however, change during the 2022/23 season with Rwamagana City and Sunrise FC now ranked above the relegation zone. ALSO READ: Sunrise, Rwamagana target premier league stay next season It is too early to identify who could drop to the second division next season with ten more games to play but Espoir and Marines FC have been potential candidates to be relegated. Meanwhile, Musanze, who have not registered a single victory during the second round of the league, have a point to prove during the remaining fixtures or they could also find themselves flowing down to the bottom two should they not turn their results around. The battle for survival will continues to be intense fixture after fixture not just for the trio but also the likes of Mukura Victory, Bugesera, Gorilla, Sunrise, Musanze, Rwamagana City are Rutsiro who haven’t hit the 30 points mark which was the minimum points for escaping relegation during the 2021/2022 campaign. ALSO READ: AS Kigali thrash Marines FC as Espoir’s misery deepens Currently, Espoir sit both of the table with 11 points, two points behind 15th-placed Marine while Rutsiro are 14th with 18 points. Times Sport looks at what is at stake for each of the trio as relegation battle intensifies: Espoir The Rusizi-based side had their main man in Nigerian striker Samson Ikechukwu who was outstanding in the early stages of the season netting four goals before he slummed to oblivion and is yet to be back to his best. His dip in form caused troubles to the team which has been struggling for goals over the campaign. The talented forward could be vital to the club’s quest for survival if he can rediscover his form again. Again, for any team to survive relegation, they must endeavor to win games especially at home which is very key. Pundits thought Espoir’s shock away victory against Police was just the beginning to their way out of relegation but the strugglers have since failed to register yet another win to their name. There is still a chance but the club will need to pull a miracle if they want to avoid relegation. Espoir haven’t not been relegated since they earned a topflight league promotion in during the 2011/12 season. Next five fixtures: Marines (February 26), AS Kigali (March 5), Espoir (March 10), Mukura (March 18), Kiyovu (April 2) Marines Marines have never been the same since they sold the club's player of the 2021/22 season Fiston Ishimwe to APR. The Rubavu-based side's survival may rest on their ability to get the best out of talents such as Arthur Gitego who netted five goals in the first round as well as new signing Keddy Nsanzimfura who joined the club one loan from APR. The club will be expecting the youngster to use his expertise and experience to carry them on his shoulders and move them out of relegation. Gitego should also have to be psyched so that he can regain his confidence back as he is one player who can turn things around for Marines. Next five fixtures: Espoir (February 26), Gorilla (March 3), APR (March 11), Rutsiro (March 18) and Musanze (April 1). Rutsiro Rutsiro, who are 14th on the table have recorded three wins, 9 draws and 8 loses in 20 league games. The Western Province-based club has endured a season of ups and downs since their former coach Justin Bisengimana left before the new season began to coach Espoir although he didn’t last long at the club which eventually sacked him in December due to poor run of form. They may be five points clear of relegation zone, but only two defeats would be enough to drop to the zone of second division hopefuls. The club has only won one game during their last five league games, a run that they need to better and make major exploits when they host Rayon Sports on Saturday at Umuganda Stadium. Next five fixtures: Rayon Sports (February 25), APR (March 4), Espoir (March 10), Marine (March 18) and Rwamagana (March 31). Just like the title race is only going down the wire, the relegation battle is expected to heat up in the coming weeks with only the strongest surviving. Standings P W D L GD Pts 14.Rutsiro 20 3 9 8 -11 18 15.Marines 20 3 4 13 -18 13 16.Espoir 20 2 5 13 -22 11
