The local giants Police FC and APR will face-off in the second semi-final of the Peace Cup first leg on Sunday at Kicukiro stadium-the second leg matches will be played on Wednesday.
Today
Semi final, First Leg
Rayon Sports vs Isonga 3:30pm
Sunday
APR FC vs Police FC 3:30
The local giants Police FC and APR will face-off in the second semi-final of the Peace Cup first leg on Sunday at Kicukiro stadium—the second leg matches will be played on Wednesday.
The first semi-final on Saturday will be between Rayon Sports and recently relegated Isonga FC at Muhanga stadium.
The most popular club in country, Rayon Sports have won the Peace Cup trophies seven times — 1976, 1979, 1982, 1989, 1993, 1998 and 2005, while Isonga have never won any silverware since the club was formed in 2011.
Defending champions APR are seeking a record-extending 14th Peace Cup title following successes in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Their opponents, Police FC, are chasing a first major silverware in the club’s ten-year history.
APR head coach Dusan Dule Suljagic will be looking for the second title since he was in charge, this year after guiding the army side to the league title, while Andre Cassa Mbungo will be looking for the first cup since he joined Police at the beginning of this season from AS Kigali which won the Peace Cup in 2013.
"This is the biggest and most important match for Police FC and their fans in a long time and we have prepared for it in the best way possible,” Mbungo told Saturday Sport yesterday.
He added, "It’s going to be a tough match against defending champions but we want to win and reach the final, that’s our target. It’s important to win this game because we need a win to remain in competition.”
According to the APR captain Ismail Nshutinyamagara, the Peace Cup is the most important title for them and his side will go into Sunday’s game with a winning mentality,
"We want to win the game because this title means a lot for the APR players, staff and fans.”
"We are ready for the game, we’ll be up against tough opponents whom we respect but do not fear. This is an important game for this club and one that we really want to win; hopefully we will win it,” explained the Rwanda international.
Both teams went into residential training camp on Wednesday ahead of tomorrow’s game. The winner of two legs will meet the winner between Rayon Sports and Isonga in the final game which will be played on July 4 which coincides with the Liberation Day.
In today’s first semi, Rayon Sports coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga will be without their key players, including the inspirational skipper Faudi Ndayisenga, who joined Sofapaka this week alongside midfielder Aphrodis ‘Kanombe’ Hategekimana.
Burundi international, Ndayisenga, scored both goals as the Blues knocked out relegated outfit Etincelles in the quarter-finals last Sunday.
"Yes we lost our key players but we have other players who can lead the team, we want to reach the final, and our aim will continue to be the same, we are capable of doing it, we will remain focused on attaining our target,” noted Kayiranga, who guided Rayon to win the 2004 league title and 2005 Peace Cup.
His counterpart, Innocent Seninga, said his side is ready for any challenge. He said "We have nothing to lose, so it is time to show how capable we are.”
In quarter-finals, Police eliminated SC Kiyovu 4-3 in post match penalty kicks after both sides had played out a 1-1 draw in normal time, while APR beat Gicumbi FC 5-4 on penalty shoot-outs after the 90 minutes had ended in a 1-1. Isonga FC eliminated Espoir 5-4 on penalties after 1-1 draw.