AS Kigali eager to keep pace with APR

National Football league (Today) Police vs GicumbiMusanze vs APRMarines vs KiyovuAS Kigali vs SunriseAmagaju vs Rayon Sports Results Isonga 0-1 EtincellesMukura 0-1 Espoir AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana has urged his players to pick all three points on offer against Sunrise this afternoon at the Kigali regional stadium as they embark on the second round of the National Football League. Nshimiyimana’s side are second on the league table with 27 points after the first round, five behind leaders APR who have so far collected 32 points from 13 games. “We have to win against Sunrise. I have told the players this because victory will help us keep within touching distance of the league leaders. We are taking one game at a time. All the players are available and we are glad that there are no injuries,” a confident Nshimiyimana said. Striker Ernest Sugira, who is joint top scorer alongside Kiyovu’s Baby Mbakiye with six goals each this season, has admitted that adding to his tally this afternoon will be very important in inspiring AS Kigali to bagging all three points. Sugira, who will start on the bench for AS Kigali, said, “I am very focused on scoring against Sunrise even if I am brought on with one minute to play. We have trained well and we want to pick a win.” Meanwhile, table leaders APR travel to Musanze today aiming for victory and maintaining a commanding lead at the top of the table. The availability of the entire squad except for goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli and Charles Tibingana, who is yet to get Rwandan nationality, has head coach Ljubomir Petrovic struggling with a selection headache. APR assistant coach Vincent Mashami said: “It is very good for us to have players back from injury. It presents us with several options.” Mashami praised striker Issa Bigirimana who scored on his debut against Isonga as the military side defeated the youthful side 2-0 in their last encounter of the first round. Elsewhere, Police host Gicumbi at Kicukiro stadium while Kiyovu travel to Rubavu to play Marines at Tam Tam stadium. Fourth-placed Rayon Sports also play away against Amagaju in Nyamagabe as they continue their search for that elusive win since November. editorial@newtimes.co.rw