Moment of truth as Rayon, APR square off in crucial tie

Saturday Rayon Vs APR 15:30 MusanzeVs Kirehe 15:30 Sunday Police Vs Etincelles 15:30 Sunrise Vs AS Muhanga15:30 BugeseraVs AS Kigali 15:30 Gicumbi Vs SC Kiyovu 15:30 Espoir Vs Mukura 15:30 It will be a clash of giants when APR and bitter rivals Rayon Sports face off in the Azam Rwanda Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Amahoro Stadium. There will be a lot at stake for both sides who are separated by six points in first and second position, with champions APR leading the standings with 54 points. Billed as the biggest football fixture in the country, and one of the fiercest derbies in the region, there is no love lost whenever the army side and the blues go head-to-head. And today’s clash will not be any different from the past encounters. The game has always produced entertainment, goals and at times drama. Not only will Rayon Sports be looking to close gap to the top, but they will also be fighting to avoid losing to their traditional archrivals twice in one season following their 2-1 defeat in the first-leg last December. Second-half substitute Michel Rusheshangoga sealed victory for ten-man APR in injury time with what is still regarded as the goal of the season so far, a dazzling strike a few yards from the half-line. Issa Bigirimana had opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Ghana-born forward Michael Sarpong equalised for Rayon with eight minutes to time. On the other hand, victory for 17-time champions will edge them closer to a record-extending 18th league title, and Serbian tactician Zlatko Krmpotić – who is facing Rayon Sports for the first time – knows the kind of opponents he is playing, and what the match means to his side. “The players know the task ahead and the challenge we’re faced with, so motivation won’t be a problem for us. We are ready, and our aim is to win,” said Krmpotić, who joined APR in February. Saturday clash will be the 90th match between the two local heavyweights in all competitions, and the 54th league meeting since 1995. APR have managed 38 wins against Rayon Sports’ 28, while 23 games have ended in draws. A total of 243 goals have been scored; 125 for APR and 118 for Rayon. The fixture has only seen five goals or more twice, coming in 1996 and 1997 when Rayon Sports beat APR in identical 5-2 victories. Former Rayon Sports striker Jerôme Sina, with six goals, remains the leading scorer of Rwandas El Clasico. Djuma Masudi, who is now head coach at AS Kigali, and Issa Bigirimana have each netted five times against Rayon. Ugandan Davis Kasirye, another former Rayon Sports talisman who is currently plying his trade with Vipers SC, is the only player to ever score a hat-trick in this highly billed fixture. Brazilian Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves has challenged his Rayon Sports players to have a ‘never-die spirit’ as they bid for a second league title in three years, and the club’s ninth crown. He said: “We are playing our all-time rivals, but most importantly the leaders and defending champions. This match is like the final for us, it will either bring us back in the title race or put out us of it.” “It is going to be tough against APR, it always is.” editor@newtimesrwanda.com