April 3 AS Muhanga Vs Mukura (Muhanga Stadium, 15h30) SC Kiyovu Vs Bugesera FC (Mumena Stadium, 15h30) APR captain Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza commonly known as Migi has billed the army side title favourites after beating Sunrise 2-0 on Saturday at Kigali Stadium, to put gap of six points with archrivals Rayon Sports. Midfielder, Savio-Dominique Nshuti and striker Lague Byiringiro scored all important goals to earn maximum points to hand the record 17-time Rwanda champions a hard fought 2-0 win to drift further from the Blues. Muhadjiri Hakizimana missed a penalty on the 25th minute after Leon Uwambajimana tapped the ball with an arm but Byiringiro scored wonderful after dribbling passing Vivien Niyonkuru and Bonk Rubibi. Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Mugiraneza said, “We’re a big club, so the only goal we can have is to win trophies. There are other clubs in the chase for the league title, so it is very competitive, but with this win, we should be favourites.” “Our objective this year is to win every title, including the league and Peace Cup. However, we need to stay focused and don’t get carried away because we have beaten our biggest rivals,” added the former SC Kiyovu midfielder. Lague Byiringiro, Hakizimana, Innocent Nshuti and Dominique-Savio Nshuti had many chances to score for APR but failed to beat stopper, Gahungu Habarurema while Samson Babua, Bonk Rubibi and Cyprien Sinamenye had chance for the visitors but did not go past the hapless Yves Kimenyi, the goalie. “We want the league title and we’ve got the squad to do that. I think all of us are ready for the task ahead and that performance against Sunrise will give us more confidence and self-belief that we can actually go on to win big things,” Mugiraneza added. Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves’s side are second with 48 points, six adrift of leaders and defending champions APR, while Mukura VS (44 points) and SC Kiyovu (35 points) are third and fourth, respectively. After the mid-week fixtures, players will break for the 25th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi which starts on Sunday April 7. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
