Rayon Sports, AS Kigali clash in league opener

SundayRayon Sports Vs AS Kigali 3:30pmBugesera Vs Amagaju Miroplast Vs MarinesSC Kiyovu Vs Musanze Saturday APR FC 2-0 Sunrise FCEtincelles 3-1 Police FCGicumbi FC 2 - 0 EspoirKirehe FC 0 -1 Mukura VS Rayon Sports start the defence of their Azam Rwanda Premier League title facing AS Kigali on Sunday at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo, this afternoon. The champions lost to AS Kigali in Agaciro Development Fund tournament just over a week ago, but Rayon Sports head coach Olivier Karekezi has admitted that he is ready to avenge for that defeat. Looking ahead to the league opener, the former APR FC and Amavubi captain told Sunday Sport that, “I am happy with the three trophies but now it is another chapter, we have to take each game seriously.” “We know AS Kigali are a good side, they have been very busy in the transfer market, signing very good players. I expect them to be one of the (title) contenders, that is for sure, besides, they have been doing well in few past years,” Karekezi added. “We expect a tough but good game because both teams will come for points but I think we are hungrier than them. They beat us in Agaciro tournament and we are ready to revenge” Karekezi noted as he prepares to take of his first competitive match of his young coaching career. AS Kigali passed a budget Rwf250million of to use in the new season and have been the biggest spenders in the transfer market in anticipation of a break or make season as far as being genuine challengers for the league title is concerned. It could be the end of the Eric Nshimiyimana at AS Kigali, if he failed to win the title after spending millions in recruitment ahead of the new campaign. ”This game is deferent from the one we played in Agaciro tournament and it will not have the same approach. We have good players and we have prepared well mentally, I believe we can get the three points against the champions on Sunday,” Nshimiyimana said. Both Nshimiyimana and Karekezi were teammates for years at APR and in Amavubi, and it will be interesting how they cancel out each other in the opposite dugouts. The City of Kigali-sponsored side has their eyes set on winning this season’s league after finishing fourth last season, behind Rayon Sports, Police and APR. Rayon Sports, under Djuma Masudi, who resigned after winning the title, beat AS Kigali twice last season. Elsewhere on Sunday, Andre Cassa Mbungo’s SC Kiyovu host Musanze FC at Mumema stadium. Kiyovu finished second bottom in the 16-team league table last season, which led to relegation to the second division but they got a second chance at the first division after promoted Isonga FC opted against taking their place in the topflight. Ali Bizimungu’s Bugesera FC entertain Amagaju FC at Kicukiro Stadium as their Nyamata ground is currently under renovation, while newly promoted Miloplast FC begin life in the first division for the first, taking on Marines FC at Mironko stadium. Winning start for APR APR FC got their bid for a record-extending 17th league title, off to a winning start, beating Sunrise FC 2-0 in their season opener played on Saturday at Kigali Stadium. Jimmy Mulisa side dominated the game and got their deserved goal through forward Muhadjir Hakizimana in the 46th minute band an own goal by Regis Mushimiyimana in the 78th minute. However, it was disappointment for Police FC, who lost their first game against Etincelles 3-1 at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, while Mukura defeated Kirehe 1-0, thanks to Rashid Mutebi and in Gicumbi; Godfroid Okoko’s team won 1-0 against Espoir. editorial@newtimes.co.rw