Nshimiyimana sets sights on league summit

Today APR vs KiyovuSunrise vs GicumbiAS Kigali vs EspoirMarines vs Rayon SportsPolice vs EtincellesMukura vs MusanzeAmagaju vs Isonga AS Kigali Coach Eric Nshimiyimana will be keen to collect maximum points against Espoir this afternoon well knowing that if league leaders APR lose to Kiyovu FC, then a victory for his resurgent side will see them storm the summit of the national football league table. The City of Kigali side are two points adrift of the champions who take on their old rivals at Kicukiro ground. Nshimiyimana said recently that his team, which won the Ombudsman Cup earlier this month after defeating Police 1-0, was a title contender and that they were improving by the day. AS Kigali last week stunned giants Rayon Sports 2-1 in a tense league encounter that saw the blues’ fans walk out of the stadium before the end of the game. Meanwhile, APR coach Ljubomir Petrovic has labelled today’s tie against Kiyovu as a must-win if they are to keep their hopes of retaining the league title. “Kiyovu are not an easy team but we have to win to keep alive our dominance in the league and also to finish the year in a strong, comfortable position,” explained Petrovic. The Serbian says he was looking to put together a winning streak ahead of their CAF Champions League tie against Liga Desportiva de Maputo of Mozambique in February. Rayon Sports head coach Andy Magloire Mfutila acknowledged that every game is a tough encounter because each opponent wants to walk away with three points but the Congolese tactician has rallied his players to be resilient “during these tough times”. “We have talked about this with the players and have also had enough time to prepare for this game and we hope we win,” said Mfutila. In Marines, Mfutila faces a determined side that held APR to a 1-1 draw forcing the army side to drop points against the Rubavu based side for the first time in seven years, and three days later stunned Police FC 3-1. Marines sit in fifth position with 15 points, three behind Rayon Sports who are in third on the table and need to win this weekend lest they experience a plunge going into the New Year. Elsewhere, Police host Etincelles while Amagaju take on the struggling Isonga FC in Nyamagabe, with the youthful side yet to win a league game this season. Newcomers Sunrise host Gicumbi in Rwamagana while Mukura entertain Musanze in Muhanga.