Rayon Sports, SC Kiyovu brace for a clash of egos

Friday MukuraVs Police (Huye Stadium) Saturday Marines Vs APR (Umuganda Stadium) Espoir Vs Etincelles Rusizi Stadium AS Kigali Vs Miroplast (Kigali Stadium) Sunrise Vs Gicumbi (Nyagatare) Amagaju Vs Kirehe (Nyagisenyi) Sunday Rayon Sports Fc Vs SC Kiyovu (Kigali Stadium) Musanze Vs Bugesera (Ubworoherane) It will be a battle for supremacy when title contenders Rayon Sports host traditional archrivals SC Kiyovu at Kigali Stadium in the national league on Sunday. Each side is hoping to finish the first round of the season on a high. The bitter memories of the 2-1 beating at the hands of Rayon Sports in the last game of last season are still fresh SC Kiyovu, who will be looking for revenge. “We have to forget what happened, that’s the past now. We need to work hard for the game against Rayon because we want to earn all points. It will be difficult against them but we need to make sure that we snatch the points,” Kiyovu head coach Andre Casa Mbungo said. SC Kiyovu won the opening game of the season 1-0 against Musanze while defending champions Rayon Sports settled for a 1-1 draw against AS Kigali. SC Kiyovu will be without Rachid Kalisa who has not got the license to play in the league while Rayon Sports will be without striker Ismalla Diarra who has not received his International Transfer Certificate. However, Rayon head coach is also not taking anything for granted. “This is a big and an important match for Rayon Sports and the fans. We have prepared for it in the best way possible. We want to win the game,” coach Olivier Karekezi said. Under Djuma Masudi, Rayon Sports defeated SC Kiyovu twice last season-in the first leg 2-0 and 2-1 in the second leg. The Mumena-based side was relegated last season but returned after Isonga withdrew from the top light league. SC Kiyovu have won three league titles since its establishment in 1964, while Rayon Sports has won the title eight times since it was formed in 1968. This is the 47th time the two sides are going to meet over the past 21 years. In the 43 times they have played in the league, Rayon Sports have won 22, while SC Kiyovu won 5. The two sides have drawn 14 times. In the other big game, Mukura will battle against Police at Huye Stadium on Friday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw