AS Kigali still in league title race, says Sugira

Friday SC Kiyovu vs Bugesera FCEspoir vs AS MuhangaAPR FC vs Etincelles Amagaju FC vs Gicumbi FC Sunday Police FC vs Mukura VSRwamagana City vs AS KigaliMusanze FC vs Sunrise FCRayon Sports vs Marines FC AS Kigali striker Ernest Sugira believes his side is still in the national league title contention despite the club’s dismal form towards the end of the first round. For the past three seasons, AS Kigali have emerged as serious league title contenders but their story has been that of coming so close yet so far in the bid to win a first title in the club’s 15-year history. Eric Nshimiyimana’s side are in fifth place in the table standing with 28 points, six points behind leaders APR after 15 rounds of matches. Speaking to Times Sport, Sugira, who is the club’s top scorer with six goals, three behind Mukura Victory Sports’ Muhadjiri Hakizimana, insisted that the league race is still wide open. “The title race is still wide open, we are only at the halfway stage of the season and you can see that a number of clubs can win the league, so it is not finished for AS Kigali and I am sure the next 15 games will be tough for every club,” said Sugira. The 25-year-old Rwanda international has made headlines this season, especially with Amavubi, having scored seven goals in his previous eight appearances for Johnny Mckinstry’s team. Sugira revealed that their recent poor run which includes defeats to rivals Police FC and APR 1-0 and 3-1 respectively was a result of a three-month break. “Our target at the start of the season was to challenge for trophies, including the league and nothing has changed. Personally, I have only three months left on my contract, and honestly I would like to finish my time at this club with a league title,” he noted. Last week, Sugira revealed to Times Sport that he will leave AS Kigali when his contract expires at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Nshimiyimana’s side have signed former Police striker Emmanuel ‘Crespo’ Sebanani, who joined them on a two-year contract. The Rwandan forward, whose career has been blighted by injuries, joins former APR midfielder Charles Tibingana and both will feature for the City of Kigali-sponsored side in the second round. AS Kigali, who led the league table for most part of the first round, before being overtaken, first by Mukura and then Rayon Sports, will kick off the second round away to Rwamagana City on Sunday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw