Match-day 1 fixtures

Saturday: Group A Aspor FC vs Vision FC 1pmHope FC vs Gitikinyoni 2:30pmVision J.N vs Sorwathe FC

Group BHeroes FC vs Rugende FC 1pmEtoile de L’Est vs Isonga FC 2:30pmMiroplast vs Intare FCGasabo United vs La Jeunesse 3:30pm

Sunday: Group AAS Muhanga vs Rwamagana City 2:30pmAkagera FC vs UR FC

Group BUnited Stars vs Sec Academy 2:30pm

The 2016/17 second division league football championship is set to kick off today, according to the local football governing body, FERWAFA.

A total of 22 teams from across the country, divided in two pools (A and B) have confirmed they will compete in the second tier league. The race for the two promotion slots to topflight division league will begin at the group stage round.

The teams both pools will play among themselves on a home-away basis with the top eight qualifying to the quarter-final round.

Teams in Group A include; Aspor FC, Vision FC, Hope FC, Gitikinyoni, Vision J.N, Sorwathe FC, AS Muhanga, Rwamagana City, Akagera FC and University of Rwanda (UR FC).

Group B is composed of Gasabo United, Etoile de l’est, Heroes FC, Miroplast, Esperance, United Stars, La Jeunesse, Isonga FC, Rugende, Intare FC and SEC Academy.

Meanwhile, Unity FC will not compete in the upcoming season after being slapped a one-year ban by the FERWAFA while Interface FC has withdrawn from the championship after they requested for one-year absence to enable the team to assemble a solid team. The most notable fixture on match-day one will pit AS Muhanga and Rwamagana City FC, two teams relegated from the topflight last season.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw