RWANDA PEACE Cup winners AS Kigali remain optimistic they will progress past the 1/8th round when they face Moroccan champions Difaa El Jadida in a Caf Confederation Cup second round whose first leg is slated for March 22 in Kigali.

AS Kigali reached the 1/8th round after eliminating Al Ahly Shendi of Sudan 5-4 on penalties after a 1-all draw in Khartoum, Sudan last week.

Gasambungo told Times Sport yesterday, "We have our strength and we are optimistic of even staging an impressive performance in the next round.”

"Jadida offers a tricky test but we have to maintain our consistency and mentality in winning our home tie before going for a draw in the return leg,” added Gasambungo.

AS Kigali host Morocco’s side El- Jadida in Kigali before going for second leg in  a week’s time. This is the first time that a Rwandan club has reached the second round of Africa’s second biggest club competition.

To reach the 1/8th round, AS Kigali, who are playing in this competition for the second time since making their debut in 2002, eliminated Burundian side Academie Tchite 2-1 on goal aggregate.

The City of Kigali-sponsored side won the first leg 1-0 in Kigali and drew 1-1 in the second leg in Bujumbura.

Meanwhile, AS Kigali will face AS Muhanga on Thursday before meeting Police on Sunday in two of their rescheduled matches due to the club’s engagement in continental competitions. 

Gasambungo’s side currently lies in fifth position with 34 points with two matches in hand.