APR will reclaim top spot–Migi

APR FC’s assistant captain Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza  is confident the military side will reclaim top spot in what is turning out to be a hotly contested football season.

Friday, December 27, 2013
Jean Baptiste Migi Mugiraneza (right) battles for possesion with a Gicumbi opponent early in the season. Saturday Sport/ File

Playing on SundayMusanze    vs    Rayon Sports    3pmKiyovu    vs    AS Kigali    3:30pmAmagaju    vs    EtincellesEspoir FC    vs    Mukura VSMarines    vs    Police FC    AS Muhanga    vs    APR FCEsperance    vs     GicumbiAPR FC’s assistant captain Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza  is confident the military side will reclaim top spot in what is turning out to be a hotly contested football season.  Even as they were the side with superior possession, APR drew with Espoir 0-0 on Boxing Day at Stade de Kigali, giving archrivals Rayon Sports the chance to topple them at the summit – the first the time defending champions have led the log this season.The draw saw APR dropping to second with 24 points, one behind new leaders Rayon, who thumped Esperance 5-0 on the same day. However, APR have a game in hand – albeit against another resurgent side, SC Kiyovu – which will be played on January 5.Indeed Mugiraneza believes his side is the team to beat this season."There is nothing to worry about, and the team is performing well and we are in a good position, with just one point behind Rayon,” he said."We want to stay focused and hope that we will win as many games as possible. To be in second place at this stage is not bad, but we are determined to continue improving because there is a long way between now and end of the season,” the Rwanda international midfielder told Saturday Sport.APR, who won nothing last season, will visit AS Muhanga on day 13 of the season on Sunday, hoping to win and put pressure on Rayon Sports, who have a tricky away tie against fifth-placed Musanze FC on the same day.Having collected 24 points from 11 games, the military side will be hoping to retain the number one spot before the New Year, which they had occupied only since last weekend.Only four points separate leaders Rayon Sports and seventh-placed Espoir, an indication of how competitive this season has been thus far.TableTeam    PD       W        D         L          Pts    Rayon Sports    12        7          1          3          25APR                    11        7          3          1          24AS Kigali           12         7          2          3        23SC Kiyovu          11        6          4          1          22Musanze              12        6          4          2          22Police FC            12        6          3          3          21Espoir                  12        5          6          1          21Etincelles             12        3          7          2          16Mukura                12        4          1          7          13Gicumbi              12        2          3          7          9Marines                12        2          3          7          9AS Muhanga       12        2           3         7          9Esperance            12        2          1          9          7Amagaju              12        1          3          8          6