Pre-season matches SundayPolice FC 1-1 Kirehe FCSaturdayBugesera FC 1-1 Mukura Pepiniere FC 2-2 Rayon Sports Bugesera FC head coach Vincent Mashami has said that his side is close to being ready for the upcoming national football league, which will kick off on October 14. The Eastern Province-based side drew 1-1 against Mukura Victory Sports in a pre-season match at Nyamata ground on Saturday. Fabien Twagirayezu netted for Mukura before the hosts’s new signing from APR FC, Farouk Ruhinda, equalised for the home team. The two sides had met earlier on Tuesday at Huye Stadium in Huye District, and Bugesera won 2-0 thanks to another former APR player Bertrand Iradukunda, who netted both goals. “We still needed to work on the defence and the striking force, but that is something that we shall continue to work on throughout the season because we’re getting used to each other since most of us are new at the club,” said Mashami. The former APR coach added, “We need to work hard and make sure we are really ready for the league because it will be tough. I have players who are willing to learn and I believe we can do better next season and finish in a good position.” Mashami knows he will have to improve on the seventh position that the team achieved in the 2015/16 season with 37 points on their league debut under Ali Bizimungu. After signing a one-year contract, Mashami, 34, was tasked to finish in the top six. In other pre-season games played over the weekend, Peace Cup winners Rayon Sports were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Pipiniere FC at Ruyenzi ground. Mike Djuko and Kevin Ishimwe scored for Jean Baptiste Kayiranga’s side while Frank Lomami and Hassan Waswa (OG) netted for the Blues. Elsewhere, Innocent Seninga’s Police FC drew against Kirehe FC, another new league entrant, at Gishyari ground in Rwamagana District. Amavubi striker Danny Usengimana netted for Police while Ismail Kaka equalized for Hamis ‘Kishi’ Sogonya’s team. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
