Match Day 5

Saturday

AS Kigali             vs    Mukura           3:30pm

Espoir                  vs    Etincelles

SC Kiyovu           vs    Isonga

Gicumbi              vs    Musanze

Sunrise                vs   Amagaju

Marines               vs    Police

Sunday

APR                     vs   Rayon Sports               6pm

The most charged game in Rwandan football will be played under floodlights on Sunday evening. However, that is besides the anxiety this particular fixture creates among the two rival teams and supporters. 

It is among many other traits a clash of egos and most importantly a contest of bragging rights. To some, winning this fixture is more important than winning the league title.

Those that disregard the latter thought will alter their line of thinking towards a positive or negative result when engulfed with the emotions that come with bagging maximum points or the lack of it thereof.

Both the reigning league champions APR and last season’s runners-up Rayon Sports have 10 points on the league standings but the Blues are ahead on goal difference.

From four games played so far, both sides have won three games and drawn once but the manner in which these results have accumulated is what will throw more light on the expectations ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.

APR without eight starters

APR head coach Ljubomir Petrovic has admitted that his side has not played well so far and blames this on missing dependable players.

Number one choice goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli is undergoing rehabilitation in Algeria after a successful operation on his right knee and will be out of action until next year.

The defensive pair of Emery Bayisenge and Michel Rusheshangoga as well as Bertrand Iradukunda and Yannick Mukunzi are currently sitting for their A’level examinations but Petrovic is optimistic that they could play a part in the derby.

"I have been working with them every evening from 5:30pm for less than an hour thrice this week on some ball work which is the best we can do but we shall see if they can play against Rayon Sports,” explained Petrovic.

The Serbian tactician will also be without midfield maestro Andrew Buteera and Charles Tibingana who are yet to attain the national identity card to prove that they are Rwandans.

Petrovic lamented that this has affected his plans for the derby ahead, "Playing without Andrew (Buteera) and Charles (Tibingana) makes the match ahead very difficult.”

Playmaker Jean Claude Iranzi is out of the encounter after accumulating two yellow cards causing Petrovic more midfield woes ahead of an encounter that will definitely determine the fate of each team in regards to winning the title.

Rayon Sports without quartet

The Blues too will be without key players including James Tubane who is undergoing eye treatment and the duo of Alype Majyambere and Djihad Bizimana who are currently doing their A’level examinations.

Long-serving midfielder Aphrodis Hategekimana ‘Kanombe’ is also unavailable as he nurses an injury.

Rayon Sports’ interim head coach Sosthene Habimana expressed concern at their unavailability but mentioned that his players will come to the match with only the intention of winning.

The last time the two sides met was in the semi-finals of the Cecafa Kagame Cup in August at the Kigali regional stadium that ended with the army side winning 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw after regular time.

Last season, APR won the first round encounter 1-0 after a Tibingana strike but the Blues dominated the second round game 2-1. However, it will remain to be remembered that the March 2013 fixture was the biggest humiliation any side had ever given the record champions APR.

The Blues won 4-0 in front of a fully packed Amahoro stadium and it is with this background therefore that revenge will always be sought to avoid such a scenario. Rayon Sports notably also defeated the record 14 time champions 4-1 in 2002.

Top scorers

Jacques Tuyisenge                 Police FC                      3

Peter Otema                            Rayon Sports                2

Djihad Bizimana                     Rayon Sports                  2

Baby Miamy MBakiye            Kiyovu                              2