National football leagueTodayKiyovu v Atraco Marines v Electrogaz Police v Etincelles AS Kigali v Military SC Kiyovu face Atraco in a must win Kigali derby in the last fixture of the first leg of the national football league due at Nyamirambo stadium this afternoon. The old giants playing at home must win this game to keep themselves in the hunt for this year’s national football league title. SC Kiyovu will use this game to continue their good run of the season which has seen them win seven,draw one and lose two of their last ten fixtures. The three time league winners in 1983, 1992 and 1993 stepped up their preparations for this year’s league and with their current form SC Kiyovu stands among the title contenders. Kasa Kasambogo’s side is placed third on the league table with 22 points, five points behind run away leaders Atraco. There is no love lost between these two sides and for more than one reason; the two teams go into the game with a number of scores to settle. Atraco has some of the influential players who were recruited from the Greens. The likes of Theoneste Muhayimana and Donatien Tuyisenge where once on Kiyovu’s payroll.Kasambogo who is confident of bagging the three points at home said yesterday that a loss in today’s game will take them out of the hunt for the league title. “All we need is maximum points to keep us on the track for the title,” Kasambogo said.His rival coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira is assured that no stone will be left unturned so as to secure maximum points in today’s derby. “My players are focused on maximum points. This is the first leg’s final game and we must topple the league table in style with a deserved victory,” “Tomorrow’s (today) win will leave our club assured of clinching their first silverware this year,” Ntagwabira said. However, both sides are expected to miss the services of their influential players; Alimansi Kadogo and Medie Kagera suspended from today’s game due to accumulated yellow cards. Meanwhile, both sides who have the league’s top scorer’s in Abedi Mulenda who has scored six goals for the taxi-men and James Uwimana has scored five goals for the old giants. Elsewhere, Electrogaz face Marines at Umuganda stadium, police hosts Etincelles at Shorongyi grounds and AS Kigali hosts Military at Mumena stadium.Ends
