Friday

Police vs AS Kigali 3:30pmMukura vs Bukavu Dawa

Saturday

Rayon Sports vs SC Villa 3:30 Gicumbi FC vs SC Kiyovu

Rayon Sports new head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert has hailed his players after winning their first match against Gicumbi FC (1-0) in the ongoing StarTimes-sponsored Christmas Cup.

Mustapha Nsengimana scored the lone goal of the match, which gave the ‘Blues’ three points in their opening Group A match played on Wednesday at Kicukiro stadium.

On the same day, AS Kigali humiliated DRC based Bukavu Dawa 5-0.

At Mumena stadium in Nyamirambo, Andre Casa Mbungo’s Police FC beat Mukura 1-0 with the goal coming from Dany Usengimana.

After winning the first match in charge of the Blues, Minnaert said: "The team is changing for good and now everyone is looking at Rayon Sports as a better team compared to when I came in, so my ambition is to continue winning, because winning breeds confidence.”

"We have to look forward for the next games. I like the way the team is playing but obviously there is room for improvement,” the Belgian noted.

His counterpart of Gicumbi, Emmanuel Ruremesha, said his side played well but failed to convert their chances in-front of Rayon Sports goal.

"We missed a lot of chances to score goals but we will be looking to bounce back for the next match (against SC Kiyovu) on Saturday,” he said.

The inaugural Christmas Cup continues on Friday with two matches as Mukura Victory Sport faces DRC’s Bukavu Dawa while the Rwanda national football league leaders AS Kigali take on second-placed Police at Kicukiro stadium.

Rayon Sports will play their second group match on Saturday against SC Villa of Uganda at Amahoro stadium, while Gicumbi FC will be up against SC Kiyovu at Mumena stadium.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw