DEFENDING champions APR will face-off with rivals Police FC in the highlight of the weekend’s National Football League fixtures this afternoon at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo, kickoff is 3:30pm.

After this weekend, only seven games will be left to wrap up the league and this much-awaited game is not just about the three points, if anything it is about bragging rights and Police will be looking to walk over their opponents who have dominated them for many years.

In their last ten meetings, APR has won 5 games while Police has two. The other three games ended in a draw. The last time Police beat APR was a thrilling 3-2 win back in February 2012. APR once humiliated Police 4-0 in January 2011.

APR central defender Emery Bayisenge has urged his teammates to stay focused on the task ahead if they are to defeat a Police side that has improved in recent weeks, closing the gap on the table leaders to eight points.

Andre Cassa Mbungo’s side, go into the game not willing to settle for less than a win or else they will be out of the race for the league title.

The record 14-time league champions, APR lead the table standings with 39 points, seven better than second-placed AS Kigali and eight points ahead of Police in third place.

"This is a big and an important match for us and our fans, and we have prepared for it, it is a game that neither team wants to lose. As usual there will be tension but I am confident that we will come out on top,” Bayisenge told Saturday Sport yesterday.

The 21-year-old noted: "It is still early and we have many games to play, we cannot say that we have won the league like many fans are talking. We want three points because if we lose on Saturday, then pressure could stand to creep in.”

"But if we win, we will go 11 points ahead of them but we have to be careful, our concentration levels must be high and we will go into the game with a purpose of winning,” added the former Isonga, U17 and U20 national team skipper.

APR will miss the services of injured midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza who is nursing an ear infection while Police will miss fullback Mohamed Mpozembizi through suspension.

Police goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure said that his team will go into today’s game needing the win more than their opponents. In the first round, both sides played out a goalless at Kicukiro stadium.

"We are100 percent ready. We are facing a tough opponent whom we respect but we don’t fear them. This is an important game for both teams,” Mvuyekure noted.

He added, "We are not in a bad position and we are motivated to win and stay in the league title race going into the last seven matches of the season.”

"We respect APR just like any other team and it’s going to be a tough match. It’s an important game for us and we need a win to remain in contention and if we lose, it’s going to be hard to catch them,” admitted the former AS Kigali goalie.

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Rayon Sports travel to Rusizi to take on tenth-placed Espoir while Marines host Mukura at Tam Tam.

On Sunday, sixth-placed Sports Club Kiyovu entertain Musanze at Mumena stadium, AS Kigali will be at home to eighth-placed Amagaju at Kigali Regional Stadium, Gicumbi will be up against Etincelles in Gicumbi and Sunrise will host bottom side Isonga FC in Rwamagana.