Rayon provides new Mukura coach tough test

Today’s fixtures
Mukura        v   Rayon
AS Kigali      v    APR
Marine         v    Police
Kibuye        v   La Jeunesse
Electrogaz    v    Amagaju
Atraco         v     SC Kiyovu

Mukura Victory Sport newly appointed coach Ali Bizimungu starts his reign with a tricky home tie against Kigali giants and title hopefuls Rayon Sports this afternoon at Huye stadium.

The 40-year-old tactician signed a two-year contract this week and has been handed a tough task of restoring the club’s past glory days.

He takes over from Bernard Ndiki, who was sacked after drawing the opening game of the season against Electrogaz last weekend.

Speaking to Times Sport in his first press interview on Thursday, the softly spoken tactician said that he will try all possible ways to improve Mukura’s fortunes using the limited resources available to him.

He admitted that Mukura face a tough challenge against Rayon but which he’s well prepared to handle.

"Rayon Sports has talented players but my players have been briefed on how to handle them. We shall hold them at the back and hit them at the break,” says the tactician.

Mukura has no injury worries and skipper Canesius Nshimiyimana is set to lead the Huye outfit against a team that picked six points from them last season.

Mukura who shared points with Electrogaz must revamp its winning tactics to enable them earn recognisation among the top flight clubs.

Former Kiyovu coach Bizimana has joined the Huye outfit along with ex-Kiyovu players like Didier Bizimana, Billy Hassan and their skipper Meddie Kagera.

Rayon coach Raoul Shungu whose 3-4-3 formation disappointed him last week with a goalless draw against Police is set to change the formation against Mukura.

He said, "I employ a playing formation depending on the opposition, which means I may have to used a different formation tomorrow (today) from one that I used against Police.”

"We are positive going into the game with Mukura despite last week’s disappointing result,” Shungu said, adding that he expects no change in the squad that featured in the goalless opener Police.

The encounter is also set to resurrect the rivalry between the two clubs. Rayon beat Mukura twice last season and it was the other way round a season before.

This season might be different especially due to the fact that both clubs have recruited new players for the season.

Both clubs dropped crucial points at the start of the season and will be looking to pull themselves up.

Elsewhere, nine-time league champions APR face AS Kigali at Mironko stadium.

Rene Feller’s side are favorites to win this year’s league title but to achieve that, they must win games like today’s.

Ends