Police still in league title race – Mbungo

Police FC head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo believes his side has the ability to contend for the National Football League title ahead of the second round that resumes in a fortnight. The law enforcers are third on the league table with 24 points, eight points behind table leaders APR who are five clear of second placed AS Kigali that has 27 points from 13 games. Mbungo revealed that, “We started the season on a strong note but then lost abit of form. However, I am very impressed that we finished the first round on a high. It has not been easy but we are third on the table standings which is a very good thing.” Police thrashed Espoir 4-1 over the weekend with goals from the on-form quartet of Kipson Atuheire, Idisbaridi Nshuti, Innocent Habyarimana and Captain Jacques Tuyisenge. Mbungo revealed that the return of Tuyisenge from injury and availability of strikers like Atuheire will give his side an advantage going into the second round which he believes will provide a chance to get to the top of the table. Police has never won the league title. Meanwhile, Mukura Coach Geoffrey Okoko has by unisales href=#>earned praised from the club faithful after guiding the Huye based side from relegation zone to 11th position. The Burundian tactician who is in charge of Mukura for the second time, helped them move from relegation zone to title contenders in the 2007/2008 season challenging eventual winners APR but admits that such a scenario cannot happen again this season. “We shall take one game at a time and see how far we can go but we are improving every other day and we have to be patient,” explained Okoko. Since Okoko took over Mukura in November, he has registered three by unisales href=#>wins over Amagaju (3-2), Isonga (2-1) and Musanze (1-0) as well as two goalless draws against Etincelles and Rayon Sports. Nyanza based Rayon Sports continues to struggle with no by unisales href=#>win since November when Andy Magloire Mfutila took over the club that is currently in fourth position with 21 points, 12 behind their archrivals APR. Mfutila insists that his players have to remain positive ahead of the second round because they can still recover and win their games but he admits that if APR by unisales href=#>wins all their remaining games, then the military side will be crowned champions. editorial@newtimes.co.rw>