Saturday Musanze Vs APR Kirehe Vs AS Kigali Amagaju Vs Muhanga Sunrise Vs Gicumbi Bugesera Vs Etincelles Sunday Rayon Vs Mukura Less than a week after signing Djuma Masudi Irambona as their head coach, AS Kigali are optimistic for an away victory when they face Kirehe FC on Saturday at Nyakarambi grounds. Following their 1-all draw with Musanze FC in the league opener last Sunday, the win would not only be AS Kigali’s first in the new season but also the first under the former Rayon Sports coach who met his new players for the first time on Monday. But, hosts Kirehe will be eager to avoid a second defeat in a row, having lost 2-0 to Kiyovu in their opening game. A second defeat won’t go down well for their newly appointed coach François Kalisa. On the other hand, after penning a one-year deal with the City of Kigali-sponsored side, Masudi will be seeking for an impressive start to his first reign. Musanze out to halt APR Meanwhile, Musanze FC, who managed to salvage a draw against AS Kigali at home last weekend, face a task to prove a point against big teams when they entertain defending champions APR today at Ubworoherane Stadium. After beating APR’s Serbian coach Ljubomir ‘Ljupko’ Petrović to the Coach of the Year award last week, Musanze head coach Emmanuel Ruremesha looks to emulate his impressive run with Etincelles last season when he guided the Rubavu-based side to a fourth position finish. Forward Japhet Imurora will be leading Musanze FC’s onslaught against the military side. Leading the table standings, the record 17-time champions APR will largely rely on Player of the Year Muhadjiri Hakizimana, who scored the opening goal of the season as well as winger Savio Dominique Nshuti in attack. “The game will be a tough one, against strong opponents, but, we are ready,” Ruremesha told Saturday Sport on Friday. AS Muhanga seek to main perfect start Amagaju FC must plug their defensive holes that were a manifest in their league opener against APR on October 19, if they are to avoid a second defeat. Sitting at the bottom of the table with no point, the Nyamagabe-based team take on AS Muhanga FC at Nyagasenyi grounds in search for their first win of the season. Head coach Jean Paul Muhazo will look to his team captain, Tresor Ndikumana, to lead his charges. Struggling Amagaju finished 14th, with 31 points from 30 league games, last season. On the other hand, after coming from behind to shock Police 2-1 in their opening game, AS Muhanga tactician Abdul Mbarushimana has emphasised he guided the Muhanga District-funded side to topflight league for serious business. Muhanga are third on the table just behind leaders APR and second-placed SC Kiyovu. They are likely to stick to their starting lineup against Police, looking for a crucial away win to Amagaju. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
