D-Day as Mukura, Rayon square off in Peace Cup final

Today Third place playoff APR Vs Sunrise 13:30 Final Rayon Vs Mukura 18:00 Hopefuls Mukura Victory Sports and the 2016 winners Rayon Sports square-off today at Kigali Stadium in what is guaranteed to be a much heated Peace Cup final – starting at 6pm. It will be a winner-take-all clash as winners will automatically book ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. Rayon booked a Peace Cup final showdown with Mukura VS as Olivier Seif Niyonzima and Kevin Muhire tormented Sunrise in Thursday’s 2-0 win at Kigali Stadium. The Blues edged Sunrise 3-2 on aggregate after the former had won 2-1 in the first-leg. Speaking to Sunday Sport on Saturday, Mukura coach Francis Haringingo said his men are ready and determined to deny Rayon Sports, and bring back the old glory days in Huye District. Mukura saw off holders APR to reach their first Peace Cup final since 2009. The black and yellow outfits booked the ticket to the final courtesy of away goal rule after holding the military to a 1-all draw on Wednesday at Kigali Stadium. Both sides had shared goalless spoils in the first-leg at Huye Stadium. “Everyone is fit and ready for the match, we are eyeing nothing but the title. It is going to be a tough call, and a major test of how far we can go as a team ahead of next season. We will do everything possible to emerge the victors,” the Burundian tactician said. The last time that the Huye District-sponsored side was in the final of the country’s second biggest football tournament was in 2009 when they lost 1-0 to now-defunct Atraco FC. “It’s a do-or-die match, and thankfully everyone on the team understands the magnitude of the task that lies ahead. We can’t afford to lose focus, before and during the game” he noted. Despite having won the tournament four times – under it former name Rwandan Cup – Mukura are yet to win the title in the post-1994 era. On the other side, Rayon have won the title four times in the last 23 years; in 1995, 1998, 2005 and 2016, respectively. Rayon Sports’ Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Calmo is optimistic his side will overcome Mukura as they bid to the tournament for a second time in three years and seal their spot in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup – after failing to retain the league title in June. “This is my most important match since joining Rayon in June, it is a game that means a lot to me and the club. We have to give our maximum. Mukura are a good side but I believe we are able to overcome the challenge. It’s a must-win clash,” Goncalves said in a separate interview. This is the second time, in thirteen years, that the two sides lock horns in Peace Cup final following the 2005 meet that saw Rayon sinking Mukura 3-0 to lift the title. The much anticipated clash will be preceded by the third and fourth place playoff between APR and Sunrise FC at 3:30pm – same venue. editorial@newtimes.co.rw