Mbarushimana plots Atraco demise

Today Electrogaz    vs  AtracoMukura         vs  AmagajuLa Jeunesse vs  Kiyovu

Friday, October 24, 2008

Today

Electrogaz    vs  Atraco
Mukura         vs  Amagaju
La Jeunesse vs  Kiyovu

Electrogaz coach Abdul Mbarushimana hopes to maintain his team’s unbeaten run when they host the league champions and table leaders Atraco this afternoon at Camp Kigali.

Boosted by two wins and a draw from their opening three league fixtures, Mbarushimana believes that his team can frustrate the champions.

He said, "It’s a tough one but we’re totally ready for it. They (Atraco) are the champions and are unbeaten this season and I know that it’s going to be hard to beat them but this is football, anything is possible.”

"We shall go into this match committed to the cause just as we do for every match. We can’t avoid (facing) anyone because this is a league, therefore, we must be prepared for any challenge,” he explained.

Atraco are the only side with a 100 percent record after three back-to-back wins and have a two-point lead over the next three teams which include today’s opponents, APR and Marines at the top of the table.

Electrogaz have beaten Amagaju and La Jeunesse and drew against Mukura while Atraco have attained victories over La Jeunesse, Kiyovu and Police.

After last weekend’s win over Police, Atraco’s Ugandan coach Sam Timbe vowed not to get too carried away with his team’s not so surprising impressive start to the new season.

He said, "When you are the champion, every team gives 100 per cent against you. They all want to beat you therefore; it’s upon you to deal with it in the best way possible.

"In a league, just like in marathon, you can never get excided because you’re leading at the very start because you have too much distance to cover to be champions,” he stressed.

Timbe will be without the league top scorer Jean Lomami, who was sent off for two bookable offences in the match against Police.

Referee Louis Hakizimana sent off the ex-Rayon Sports striker, ten minutes after scoring Atraco’s winner in a hard-fought 2-0 win for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Yet, Mbarushimana will also be minus new signing Yves Karekezi, who’s serving a mandatory one match suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in successive games.

Elsewhere, Yves Rwasamanzi and his youthful La Jeunesse side could further send wretched Kiyovu one step towards relegation with a win in Byumba.

After three consecutive defeats, Kiyovu are second from bottom of the table level with new boys Amagaju without a point and unprecedented relegation fears are looming over their heads.

Ends