Just as the battle for the league trophy intensifies, the race to avoid relegation is also getting hotter in the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier League. Over the years, at least one of the newly-promoted teams or both get relegated back to the second tier. Last season saw Gicumbi and Etoile all saying goodbye to the elite division as they couldn't survive. This season could, however, be an exception as Sunrise FC and Rwamagana City are above the drop zone and could achieve their survival if they do the basic things well during their final five league fixtures. ALSO READ: A glimpse into Rwanda Premier League relegation battle There were some pre-tournament relegation candidates but predictions have been far from right as recent results continue to show that one of the five bottom teams is safe from relegation. Anyone could find themselves in the second division should they not turn the results around. The battle has been intriguing but the next fixtures are ‘season defining’. Espoir and Marines FC had been at the bottom of the table until last weekend in which the latter got out of the danger zone after beating Mukura VS at Huye Stadium. The points build up are so close with just nine points separating 12th-placed Rwamagana City FC and bottom side Espoir. Here is what is at stake as teams step up battle for relegation safety. ALSO READ: Rwanda Premier League: Who will win the title race? Rwamagana City Position: 12 Points: 26 Newly-promoted Rwamagana City have a great chance to survive relegation. They just need five points out of a possible 15 to escape the danger. They will host Rayon Sports, Bugesera, and Police at Ngoma Stadium before playing APR and Etincelles away from home. They can expect some reasonable points elsewhere but Rayon and APR who are still chasing the title. Sunrise FC Position: 13 Points: 25 Sunrise are hosting Etincelles, Musanze and Kiyovu in Nyagatare as well as an away game against Rutsiro and Rayon Sports. They just need a maximum of six points out of a possible 15 to successfully maintain their spot in the top flight league. Their target this season is to finish in the top 7 but that ambition looks dicey unless they win all their remaining games in order to achieve that. Marines FC Position: 14 Points: 22 Their game against Rutsiro on Saturday April 22, will decide either side’s fate. Marines are undoubtedly the kings of Rubavu when it comes to derbies, they have beaten Etincelles and Rutsiro this season and they will be looking to complete a double over the latter this Saturday if they are to keep their hopes of playing next season’s top flight football alive. The pair are separated by just one point and a victory would see Marines open a four-point gap ahead of Rutsiro. The Rubavu-based side has subsequent games against Gasogi, Bugesera, Rayon and Police. If they beat Rutsiro and get at last three points from their remaining fixtures, they can stay in the league. Rutsiro FC Position: 15 Points: 21 After the local derby with Marines, Rutsiro will entertain Sunrise before traveling to Bugesera to face Gorilla and AS Kgali in subsequent games. They will then wrap up with an away game against title hopefuls Kiyovu Sports. It doesn't look good for Rutsiro as looking at their remaining fixtures which includes three away games, one local derby and a home game. They will need to do some miracle in their last games and pick points in tough moments, otherwise, they are potential candidates to play second division football next season. Espoir FC Position: 16 Points: 17 The Rusizi-based club is likely to be relegated unless they win all their remaining matches and pray that the teams in front of them drop maximum points. With 17 points after 25 games, Espoir's stay in the Premier League looks very bleak. They will face Mukura Victory in Huye on April 22, host Rayon Sports on April 30, then visit APR in Bugesera on May 7 before welcoming Musanze on May 21. They will conclude the league campaign with an away game against Gasogi on May 27. From their fixtures, it looks certain that Espoir will not stay in the Premier League unless they defy all odds and pull some magic that football never ceases to produce
