APR braced for title party

PNFL, TodayEtincelles vs APR (Umuganda)Musanze vs Rayon (Musanze)Mukura vs AS Muhanga (Kamena)La Jeunesse vs Police (Kigali Regional Stadium) SundayAS Kigali vs Amagaju (Mumena)Marine vs Kiyovu (Umuganda) APR take on Etincelles this afternoon well aware that victory will all but crown them Primus league champions for a record fourth straight season. After their mid-week victory over Muhanga (1-0), the army side moved to 48 points- 12 clear of Kiyovu with four games to play. This literally means that APR need one more point to secure a fourth successive league title and Ernie Brandts’ first silverware since taking charge of the club at the beginning of the season. On the other hand, Etincelles are desperate to end their Primus league slump. On Wednesday, they suffered a 7-1 mauling at the hands of Police FC. It was their third successive defeat in the league and left them sixth with 22 points. Going by Etincelles’ recent poor run of form, Brandts is not a worried man despite missing the experienced trio of Haruna Niyonzima, Didier Kapet and Victor Nyirenda. “Etincelles are struggling so we have to make the most of the opportunity,” the Dutchman said. Elsewhere, Jean Marie Ntagwabira will also try to lift up his Rayon players when they play away to Musanze. The blues lost to arch-rivals Kiyovu in mid-week. In Southern Province, the relegation battle continues as Mukura host Muhanga. Police also face La Jeunesse at Kigali Regional Stadium. After early exits in CAF competitions (Orange Champions league and Orange Confederation Cup), APR and Etincelles are also fine-tuning themselves for the Cecafa Kagame Cup slated to run from June 21 – July 5 in Khartoum, Sudan. This year, the winner will pocket Rwf23.8m courtesy of a lump sum sponsorship package from El Mereikh Group and President Paul Kagame. The first and second runners up will settle for Rwf11.9m and Rwf5.95m respectively. APR are the defending champions after beating Ethiopia’s St. George in last year’s final. Ends

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APR braced for title party