Confederation Cup

Saturday

AS Kigali vs. Academia Tchite

RWANDA’S REPRESENTATIVES in this year’s African Confederation Cup AS Kigali might be without three key players when they take on Burundi’s Academia Tchite in Saturday’s action at Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

Speaking to Times Sports, head Coach Andre Gasambungo, confirmed prolific midfielder Muhamed Mushimiyimana, striker Bodo Ndikumana and winger Hamidou Ndayisaba are yet to recover from arm, hamstring and groin injuries, respectively, suffered during the last two matches in the Turbo King Football League.

"It is unfortunate that we are likely to miss these influential players, but we have a couple of other players who can play in the same positions,” he said. "If the injured players don’t recover in time, we will give others a chance to step up and deliver.”

The second leg is due in Bujumbura a fortnight later.

"I believe we will face a tricky side from a country which has overcome Rwandan teams in the past few continental assignments, which requires us to be in our top form.”

"We are aiming to go past the preliminary round and this means we have to score a couple of goals at home so we can go into to return leg with an advantage and confidence,” added Gasambungo.

If the City of Kigali-sponsored side progress past the qualifying round, they will face Alhly Shandy of Sudan in the first round.

This is the second time AS Kigali will be competing in the continental competition after making their debut in 2001 when they were still named Les Citadins. 

The second round matches will be played between February 28 and March 9, while the final qualifying-round matches are slated for March 21-30.

Last year, Rwanda representative debutants Police FC were knocked out in the preliminary round by Burundian side Lydia Ludic Academic.