Sept. 21

APR vs Isonga

Newly promoted national football league side Isonga FC are keen to make an impressive return to the top flight division, and avoiding relegation will be their main target.

The youthful Isonga FC were relegated to second division at the end of the 2012/13 season, but made a quick return after just one season in the lower league under coach Yves Rwasamanzi.

However, Rwasamanzi quit the post two weeks ago after his bosses refused to offer him a new contract, leaving the team in the hands of assistant coach Innocent Seninga, who will be in charge when the new season gets underway on September 21 against the champions APR FC at Kigali regional stadium.

Isonga held league title hopefuls Police FC to a one-all draw in their latest warm-up match played on Wednesday at Ferwafa ground.

"We’re happy to be back (in the topflight league) and ready to be a permanent fixture in this division. We did well to earn a promotion, but we don’t want to repeat the same mistakes that made us to be relegated,” interim coach Seninga stated.

He added: "Like it has always been the case, my team is made up of young Rwandan players and we’re looking forward to see them growi and become big stars for the future. But first, we must make sure we avoid relegation this season.”

He also noted that his squad for the forthcoming campaign includes 13 new faces and 12 players, who helped the team bounce back to Turbo King National Football League.

Ferwafa headquarters-based Isonga previously beat second division’s Vision FC 5-1, drew 2-2 against Gicumbi and 1-1 with AS Kigali in their other pre-season friendly matches.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw