Confederation Cup

1/8th RoundAS Kigali vs El Jadida

Rwanda’s representatives AS Kigali have hit a major setback as two of their influential players have been ruled out of Saturday’s Caf Confederation Cup first leg of the 1/8th round against Difaa El Jadida of Morocco at Stade de Kigali.

Striker Bodo Ndikumana sustained a head injury following a motor accident last week. Doctors CHUK where the striker is admitted say he is still in comma but his condition is stable. Midfielder Mohammed Mushimiyimana, who had just recovered from an injury, again picked up a knee injury against Police on Sunday.

"The pair is out of my plans for Saturday’s match. And honestly, I am not counting on them for the rest of the season either. It’s a blow to lose two of our top players at such a crucial stage in the season, but we have to stay positive and look ahead. I must find suitable replacements such that we can stage a positive result against Jadida,” head coach Andre Casa Mbungo told Times Sport yesterday.

The coach warned it will be a tough game but "we remain optimistic and believe we will get another remarkable result in the first leg at home. We are focused on reaching the next round.

Ndikumana scored AS Kigali’s first goal in this year’s competition when he netted the winner in the 1-0 home victory against Burundian side Academie Tchite in the first leg of the preliminary round in early February.

Rwanda Peace Cup holders eliminated Al Ahly Shendi of Sudan in the 1/16th round. The Kigali City club won the first leg 1-0 in Kigali, but lost the second leg tie by the same score to force the game into penalty kicks, which the latter won 5-4.

It is the first time that a Rwandan club has reached the second round of Africa’s second biggest club competition. In 2005, APR was eliminated in the last 16 by Egyptian side Al Ismaily.

AS Kigali and Sudanese side El Hilal are the only East African sides which progressed to the next round of Caf Confederation Cup and Champions League respectively.