AS Kigali eye top spot, APR under pressure

Today AS Kigali vs Musanze 3:30pm Marines vs Isonga Police vs Amagaju Sunday APR vs Mukura Sunrise vs Etincelles Kiyovu vs Rayon Sports Gicumbi vs Espoir AS Kigali have a big chance to leapfrog APR at the top of the National Football League table standings if they see off Musanze this afternoon at the Mumena stadium—kick off at 3:30pm. Eric Nshimiyimana’s side have 38 points, two behind APR who have been at the helm from day one of the season, a position they have held with such majesty that most football pundits and fans had given the title to them a fortnight ago, when they opened up a seven-point lead with two games in hand. However, football as many have learnt is played on the field not withstanding pedigree, successful training sessions filled with oozing stardom performances and the ever promising pre-match interviews. “No one would have thought that Espoir could beat APR but it happened,” said Nshimiyimana whose side needed a stoppage time penalty to overcome bottom placed Isonga by 1-0 on Wednesday. Neither did anyone expect Gicumbi to record a 1-0 win over APR or the army side failing to beat Musanze away as they suffered their second loss (0-1) last month. From a 4-0 historic win against their biggest archrivals Rayon Sports to a goalless draw against AS Kigali and surrendering a two-goal lead against Police which came back from behind to force a 2-2 draw, a lot has changed in the past three weeks. An eventful involvement in the Caf Champions League has surely taken a toll on the army side. However, the decision to set their priorities right with what seems to be a difficult test to eliminate Egyptian giants Al Ahly who already boast of a two-goal advantage in the return leg in Egypt could lead the record champions to eventually concentrate on winning in the domestic league. They face Mukura on Sunday, a day after AS Kigali plays and should the latter emerge victorious, APR with their back against the wall will need to dig deep and seek victory for without it, a loss could dent their title ambitions. In the other games today, third-placed Police will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host Amagaju at the Kicukiro stadium while Isonga will travel to Rubavu to take on Marines at the Tam Tam stadium. On Sunday, Sunrise host Etincelles in Rwamagana while SC Kiyovu will be up against Rayon Sports at the Mumena stadium. Gicumbi who sit in fourth position will be hoping to continue their winning run when they host the on-form Espoir.