Bugesera FC are upbeat on putting up a strong fight in their toughest match of the season when they face title holders APR in the round of 16 of the Peace Cup on June 17. The 2013 Peace Cup semi-finalists Bugesera made history when they knocked out Rayon Sports at the similar stage two years ago.

Now, the head coach of the second division league side, Noah Nsaziyinka, believes his team is fired up to pull off another surprise next week.

Should the Eastern Province outfit succeed in their mission, it would represent the biggest shock in the annual knockout competition in the last 20 years.

"To be honest, facing APR is the toughest challenge we could have imagined, but we have to be prepared well enough mentally and physically for this clash—it is the biggest game of our season but one we are not afraid of,” Nsaziyinka told Times Sport on Wednesday.

He further admitted that, "The game is going to be mentality intense for my youthful team, but this is a knockout competition, and I believe we can pull off a surprise win against the champions.”

The Bugesera district-sponsored side reached this far after brushing aside AS Muhanga while the record 8-time champions APR eliminated former topflight league side La Jeunesse in the 1/32 round.

APR skipper, Ismail ‘Kodo’ Nshutiyamagara, insists that the army side "won’t underestimate their lowly opponents.”

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