Battle of the titans as APR and Rayon Sports lock horns

APR and Rayon Sports are set to write a new chapter of their rivalry on Wednesday when they square off at Amahoro National Stadium. The two heavyweights who have played out some sensational and breathless ties in the past, face off in a match-day 8 clash of the 2018/2019 Azam Rwanda Premier League. Champions APR will be returning to domestic action for the first time since being dumped out of the CAF Champions League in the preliminary round by Tunisian outfit Club Africain. On the other hand, Roberto Oliveira’s Rayon will be seeking to become the first team to halt APR’s perfect start to the season as the military side remain the only team yet to drop a point or concede a goal after five league games this term. APR have played Rayon Sports 78 times in all competitions since 1995, winning on 36 occassions, drawing 14 times and enduring defeats on 28 occasions. According to Rayon Sports coach Roberto Oliveira, the Blues will take the game as a do-or-die affair as they seek to ride a winning momentum following their hard-earned 1-0 victory over AS Kigali on Sunday. While speaking to Times Sport on Tuesday, Roberto said, “My players are fit and looking forward to the APR game. We know who we are facing and what the game represents to our club, we will do all that is possible to collect the three points.” Ahead of their much-awaited clash, reigning champions APR sit second on the 16-team table with 15 points, level on points with third-placed Rayon Sports. However, the former have a better goal differential (10) compared to Rayon Sports’ seven – and have played two games less. Unbeaten Mukura, who rallied to beat AS Muhanga 1-0 last Saturday, top the table with 16 points. With his side having lost two games – against Mukura and SC Kiyovu – Brazilian Roberto has urged his players not to dwell on mistakes and disappointments of the past but rather focus on the task at hand. “The APR game is our toughest and most important so far this season, we have to give it our best. We have a capable team and quality players, but that is never enough in this derby. We have to be careful on every tactical detail, especially keeping discipline to avoid red cards.” Since their first meeting in 1995, Rayon and APR have created one of the biggest football rivalries in the region. Atraco FC, now-defunct, remain the only team other than Rayon and APR to win the league title, of the 2008/2009 season. In a separate interview, APR coach Jimmy Mulisa said that his side will be on the quest to stretch their winning run to six victories and Rayon Sports won’t stand in their way. “Our players have developed mental strength and a great sense of determination from our perfect start to the season and we will be fighting to stretch it further,” said Mulisa. “It is going to be a tough game, keeping in mind that we are playing our all-time rivals. However, we will try to approach it as another league match, and simply focus on sticking to our game plan.” En route to clinching a record-extending 18th league title in June, APR beat Rayon 2-1 while this year’s CAF Confederation Cup’s quarter-finalists returned the favour with a 1-0 victory to retain the annual Agaciro Development Fund tournament’s title in October. Also on Wednesday’s agenda, Marines host Amagaju at Umuganda Stadium while AS Muhanga will be up against Sunrise at Muhanga Stadium. Both games get underway at 3:30pm. editorial@newtimes.co.rw