As the battle for the 2015/16 Azam Rwanda Premier League crown rages, a catfight for survival is going on at the other side of the table.

With AS Muhanga firmly rooted at the bottom, six other clubs all find themselves in the battle to avoid relegation. They include Amagaju, Marines, Etincelles, Espoir, Musanze and Rwamagana.

Saturday Sports assesses how each of them got into trouble and their chances of survival:

Amagaju FC

What has gone wrong?

After finishing in the 8th position with 32 points last season, the Southern Province-based outfit, which is one of the oldest clubs in the country, had set themselves a target of 40 points this campaign.

However, the Abdu ‘Becken’ Bizimana side, with only four games left to the end of the season, are 10th with 28 points and only five points above Rwamagana who are second from bottom. They have been paralyzed by fear playing in front of their own supporters having lost several games at home.

Survival chances

Taking a look at their remaining four fixtures, Amagaju’s survival chances may seem slip as they will host title hopefuls APR and relegation threatened Rwamagana on June 8 and 12 before visiting the on-form and title favourites Rayon Sports on June 15 and then playing against Sunrise FC.

However, six points out of the remaining 12 would give them a huge leap towards survival and they have what appears to be a get-out-of-jail card with the visits of Rwamagana and Sunrise.

Etincelles FC

What has gone wrong?

After a dismal run of games in the first round, Etincelles FC prepared for the second round by a managerial change with Innocent Seninga taking over in February from Ugandan Ibrahim Kizito, who was shown the exit door following the club’s dismal performance in the first round.

Seninga signed several experienced players including former Mukura midfielder Hussein Habimana and former Rayon Sports, SC Kiyovu and Marines striker Salita Gentil Kambale.

Others are Patrick Musombwa and Fiston Shaui as well as former AS Kigali and Rayon Sports striker Bodo Ndikumana.

Following this revamp, Etincelles took a huge leap forward compared to the first round.

Survival chances

Etincelles stand on the 11th position with 27 points with six games left; against Musanze, Marine, AS Kigali, Bugesera, Mukura and Police. Given their recent form having defeated big teams like APR and Kiyovu and drawn against Rayon Sports and Police, they will likely end the season on a high.

Marines FC

What has gone wrong?

Since promotion to the topflight football, Marine FC have never been relegated and have been famously known for nurturing and producing young and excellent football talent. Marines’ season has been defined by two contrasting runs of form. 

Recently they have suffered a painful run of nine defeats and 11 draws wining only five and are in 12th position with 26 points from 25 games – just three points above the danger zone with five games to go.

Their remaining games include Mukura (home), Police (away), APR (home) and Rwamagana (away) on June 7, 12 and 15, respectively, while their last game will be on July 10 with their away tie’s date against Etincelles set next Sunday at Umuganda Stadium. 

Abdul Karim Nduhirabandi’s side have for most of the time suffered defensive mistakes, a failure to take chances.

Survival chances

The momentum is with Marines appears odds on to complete what would represent a great escape mainly because they are known for shocking and denying big sides points, having done so to APR, Police and Mukura. Positive results from only two games could be enough to see the Rubavu-based side escape relegation.

Espoir FC

What has gone wrong?

Alphonse Gatera’s Espoir FC have been regulars in the league for several past years. However, this year they have struggled to maintain their pace having so far recorded 25 points from five wins and 10 draws that has left them under pressure, in the 13th position.

Recently the club sacked the team manager before suspending the head coach after a run of poor results before reinstalling him after just a week.

Survival chances

Their last week’s crucial home 1-0 win against defending champions APR might have drastically altered the relegation landscape and breathed life into Gatera’s survival bid. 

Left to play Rwamagana, Rayon Sports, Sunrise and struggling Gicumbi, Espoir may escape going to the second division if they can maintain the sheer determination they showed against league leaders APR.

Musanze FC 

They have struggled in second round of this season.

In trying only to remain in mid-table mediocrity, in trying to make sure they only ever do enough to get by, Musanze FC have managed to put themselves in danger. They are 14th on the standings with 24 points just one above Rwamagana.

Despite showing the exit door their former coach Hussein Barrack in January and appointing former Uganda international George Semwogerere as head coach until the end of the season there has been nothing to cheer for as the club remain a candidate for the second tier.

Survival probability

Of all relegation threatened clubs, Musanze face a tough task in her six remaining fixtures, against Etincelles, Mukura, Police, APR, Rwamagana and Rayon Sports – four of which are in contention for the league title.

Rwamagana City

What has gone wrong?

Newcomers Rwamagana City, coached by Francois Kalisa, have struggled not only on the pitch but off it as well due to financial difficulties which have left them in the relegation zone for almost the whole season.

They have only managed to win six games, drawn five and lost 15 and are now in the 15th position with 24 points and four games (against Espoir, Amagaju, Musanze and Marine) left.

Survival chances

After a remarkable win against on form SC Kiyovu on Monday, the Eastern Province based side proved their desire stay in the top division; however, they will have a mountain to climb when they face fellow relegation threatened sides Espoir, Amagaju, Musanze and Marines.

AS Muhanga

What has gone wrong?

It is almost clear that bottom side Muhanga will surely be playing in the second division next season having managed to record the least points of the teams in the topflight league – a measly 4 from 25 games. And, despite sacking their coach Eduard Rutayisire on Sunday last week and replacing him with former Rayon Sports team manager Abdu Mbarushimana, they have a lot of work at their hands.

Survival chances

There are very slim chances for survival for the 2013 Peace Cup finalists. They are required to win all of their remaining five fixtures; against Rayon Sports, Sunrise, Gicumbi, Bugesera and SC Kiyovu and hope Rwamagana to lose of their remaining games.

Financial implications

On August 24, 2015, a month before the league started, Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) struck a mega $2.35 million sponsorship deal with Tanzanian pay television company Azam TV that will run for five years.

Up to 20 per cent of the money goes into developing the second division, 40 per cent into administrative costs, while the remaining 40 per cent will be shared equally among the 16 Premier League clubs.

This implies that if any club gets relegated, next year they will receive a much less share from the 20 per cent allocated to the second tier.

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