Rayon V Kiyovu: The Blues look to catchup with APR

Thursday Rayon Vs SC Kiyovu 15:30 Wednesday Mukura 1-2 APR RAYON Sports will be looking to charge down leaders APR when they host old nemesis SC Kiyovu in an Azam Rwanda Premier League tie at Kigali Stadium on Thursday. Ahead of their highly anticipated clash against SC Kiyovu, Rayon Sports are second with 44 points and trail APR by seven points. Three-time champions Kiyovu are in fourth-place, nine points behind Rayon. Head coach Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves de Calmo has challenged his players to ‘stay humble and focused’ in the remaining six matches as he looks to guide Rayon Sports to their first league title since 2017. “We need to work hard, treasure every chance and collect all the points [against Kiyovu]. We can’t afford to lose focus, or take them lightly,” said Goncalves. He also acknowledged that, “It is going to be a difficult one.” “This is always a big and important match for Rayon Sports and the fans. We want to win this fixture and stay in the tile race. I am convinced we can overtake APR if we make no mistake in the next few fixtures,” he further noted. Not only do the eight-time champions eye the crucial victory to play catch-up with APR, they will also be on a mission to erase their bitter memories of the 2-1 defeat at the hands of SC Kiyovu in the two sides’ first-leg clash last December. However, in an interview with Times Sport on Wednesday, SC Kiyovu head coach Allain Kirasa sounded confident and said his side will do ‘everything possible’ to beat Rayon Sports for the second time this season. APR beat Mukura to extend lead Meanwhile, Midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza scored late to inspire champions APR to a 2-1 win over Mukura at Huye Stadium on Wednesday. With the hard-earned three points in the bag, the army side went seven points clear at the summit, which would be cut back to four if Rayon beat Kiyovu Thursday. Muhadjiri Hakizimana opened the scoring in the 18th minute to put the visitors ahead, and it was not until the 66th minute that former APR forward Patrick Sibomana hauled Mukura back into the game with an equaliser. But APR skipper Mugiraneza capitalised on defensive errors from Mukura defenders to slot home the winning goal in stoppage time. The black-and-white outfit lead the table with 51 points, seven ahead of Rayon and Mukura. SC Kiyovu complete top four with 35 points. editor@newtimesrwanda.com