Cassa hails Police players after winning pre-season tourney

Police FC head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo says that winning the four-team pre-season tournament over the weekend puts his team in good position ahead of the new season which kicks off on Saturday.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Police FC head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo says that winning the four-team pre-season tournament over the weekend puts his team in good position ahead of the new season which kicks off on Saturday.

The law enforcers’ team won the two-day tournament held on Saturday and Sunday in Rubavu that also had Rayon Sports, Etincelles and guest side DV Virunga from DR Congo.

Cassa Mbungo believes his team is in good position to start the new season at the weekend. (T. Kisambira)

Police played the tournament without key players including; goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure, midfielders Amran Nshimiyimana, Innocent Habyarimana, Eric Ngendahimana, D’Amour Habimana as well as strikers Kipson Atuheire and Jerome Sina.

"We are starting the league with a strong mentality, we won the tournament and it is another step forward for my team, it sets us up well for the new season.  I was missing some key players but we still went on to win the trophy, so we are happy,” Cassa told Times Sport on Monday.

He added: "The tournament was a good opportunity to try out different formations as well as looking at the squad and where we stand before the new season starts.”

On Saturday, Police humiliated DC Virunga 7-2 before beating Etincelles 7-6 on penalty shootouts after both sides had drawn goalless in normal time.

Etincelles reached the final after beating league title hopefuls Rayon Sports 5-3 on penalty shootouts following 0-0 draw after 90 minutes. In the third place playoff, Rayon Sports thrashed Virunga 4-0.