El Classico tales

National league fixtures Today APR v Rayon Kiyovu v Police Atraco v Military Mukura v Electrogaz Etincelles v Kibuye Tomorrow AS Kigali v Marines Entrance Fee VIP- Frw 5000 Covered stands- Frw 3000 Stands- Frw 2000 All roads will lead to Nyamirambo Regional stadium today where bitter rivals APR and Rayon Sport will clash in what has come to be known as the El-classico of Rwanda’s football league. The champions(APR) go into today’s game hoping to continue their resurrection which has seen them win seven and draw two of their nine fixtures against lukewarm Rayon Sport that has managed to win four, draw two and lose two of their eight fixtures played this season. The nine-time league champions won their first three fixtures but two consecutive draws against struggling sides mid this month, had raised question marks about the young side’s ability to defend the title. A one-all draw against league debutants Electrogaz and a goalless draw against lowly Kibuye were not signs of a side challenging for league honours. Andy Mfutila’s side is second on the league table with 23 points, nine points ahead of their rivals who have a game in hand. There is no love lost between two sides and for more than one reason; the two teams go into the game with a number of scores to settle. Raoul Shungu, Rayon Sport coach has his own reasons for wanting to beat APR much as is a host of his players who want a return to the 2004 edition where Shungu guided the Blues to their sixth league title. Since then Rayon Sport has been struggling in vain to win the national league title. Congolese coach Mfutila is looking for his second league win against today’s opponents since taking over one season ago. Last season, APR won the first leg 2-1 and 2-all draw against the Blues on their way to winning the ninth league title. The military side is injury-free and according to Mfutila, their loss to El Zamalek in the Caf Champions League last week has instilled compact confidence in his youth studded side. Mfutila said, We are ready for the tie and am assured of positive results since every player is physically, pyscologically and mentally fit, However, his opposite number also has his own ideas, I want three points and nothing short of that. After the Confederation Cup loss against Harar Beer, everyone in the camp is prepared for today’s tie, Shungu said. Mfutila is expected to field Masudi Kaka upfront who scored on his debut mid this week against AS Kigali. Kabange Twite, Mbuyu Twite and Aime Ndanda are expected to start the game. The Blues will miss the services of their Kenyan international custodian Lawrence Webo through suspension. Vladimir Niyonkuru is a possible replacement and former APR rock solid defender Shaka Okello will be commanding the back line as his APR reject fellow Jimmy Gatete will be patterning Bokota in Rayon’s search for goals. Ends

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El Classico tales