Police FC head coach Andre Casa Mbungo says he is not under pressure despite his side’s three match winless run in the second round of the national football league. Casa Mbungo led Police FC to three trophies last season. (File) The law-enforcers’ side were in the title race along with AS Kigali, Mukura, Rayon Sports and defending champions APR FC early on in the season, but have since dipped in form and slumped to fifth in the 16-team table standing with 32 points, 11 adrift of leaders APR after 19 rounds of matches. Ideally, any coach of a top club would be coming under pressure, at least from fans, but not Mbungo, who remains adamant despite two defeats and a draw in 12 days, which all but essentially ended Police’s slim hopes of winning the league. Police suffered a setback in their pursuit for a first league title when they lost 2-1 to APR FC over a week ago, before suffering a shock 2-0 defeat away to newly promoted Bugesera, while the last match ended in a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Rwamagana City FC on Wednesday. “I’m not under pressure; however, if management decides they want a change, then there is nothing I can do about it. It is very hard to win every game in a season. In football, you win, draw and lose,” the former AS Kigali coach said after the midweek draw. He further pointed out that, “Police were previously coached by Goran Kopunovic and Sam Ssimbwa before I came in, but they all left the club without winning any trophy. I have been in charge for less than two years and we have managed to win three trophies.” Mbungo took over in July 2014 on a three-year contract and had since led the club to the Peace Cup glory, the ‘Agaciro Development Fund’ Cup title, the Anti-Corruption Cup title last season. In February, the club lost its star talisman and their captain Jacques Tuyisenge, who joined reigning Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia in a club record US$40, 000 transfer fee. The second tier football league was put on hold after the end of first round on January 4 as Rwanda prepared to host the 4th CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) that saw Amavubi reach the competition’s quarter-finals for the first time. In Group A, table leaders Vision FC host Gitikinyoni at Mumena stadium in Nyamirambo, second-placed Esperance travel to Rubavu to face Vision JN at Umuganda ground, while Intare FC take on Gasabo at Kamena ground. Hope FC will be up against University of Rwanda at Gatsibo ground, while on Sunday, United Stars will host La Jeunesse at Kabagari ground. In Group B, SEC Academy play neighbours Aspor Fc at Kicukiro ground, Miroplast take on Rugende at Mironko ground, Nyagatare FC host Interforce, while Pepiniere play former topflight league side Isonga at Ferwafa artificial turf. Heroes FC and Kirehe FC will lock horns at Ferwafa artificial turf before Etoile de l’Est and Akagera square off in Ngoma on May 4. Interforce and Etoile de l’Est top Group B with 24 points apiece but the former lead the table courtesy of a better goal difference. Kirehe and Pepiniere sit in third and fourth, respectively, with 23 points each, while Isonga and Akagera occupy the bottom two spots with 7 and 4 points, respectively. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
