Pre-season Primus Cup kicks off

Today APR vs AS Kigali Etincelles vs AmagajuRayon vs MukuraKiyovu vs Police THIS year’s pre-season Primus Cup tournament starts this afternoon with four matches scheduled to be played at four different grounds in Kigali. The tournament, which is being sponsored by Brewing giants-Bralirwa to the tune of Rwf 35m, features eleven top flight teams; APR, Rayon Sports, Etincelles, Musanze, La Jeunesse, Mukura, Police, Muhanga, Amagaju, Marines, AS Kigali and Kiyovu. League champions APR, fresh from winning the “United We Stand” tournament trophy start their quest for yet another trophy with a relatively easy tie against AS Kigali at Amahoro stadium. However, the army side will play this march without several key players namely Kabange Twite, Mbuyu Twite, Victor Nyirenda, Didier Kapet, Didier Sella and Kalisa Mao. The players are still on vacation after helping their club win a treble last season. APR assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana, who will be in charge for this tournament in the absence head coach Erik Paske (still in Holland), will rely on the young players and the few seniors, who propelled their side to the “United We Stand” trophy last week. Elsewhere, Etincelles host Amagaju at Kicukiro turf while six-time league champion Rayon Sports take on Mukura at Nyamirambo stadium. Jean Marie Ntagwabira’s new-look Kiyovu entertain Police at Mumena stadium. Both sides recruited heavily in preparation of the upcoming season. As part of the arrangement, all participating teams were given Rwf2m each as facilitation while the winner and runners-up will walk with Rwf5m and Frw3m respectively.The third and fourth teams will also get cash prizes of Rwf2m and Frw1m after the one week tourney. Ferwafa’s CEO, Jules Kalisa said the organization of the tournament at this stage of the season is a very important element in the calendar of Rwandan football. The Primus Cup is as a curtain raiser for next season which will start on September 10th. Teams will have the luxury of fielding as many players as possible including new signings and players on trials. Ends