Saturday

First divisionInyemera vs Gakenke 1pmKamonyi vs AS Kigali 3pmBugesera vs RugendeRambura vs ES Mutunda

Second divisionGatsibo vs Ndabuc 3pm

SundayNasho vs Scandinavia 3pmAS Kabuye vs Imanzi

The 2017 women football season in both the first and second divisions gets underway on Saturday at different venues across the country.

Effective this season, FERWAFA has introduced the second division in a bid to further develop women football in the country. The first division league will comprise nine teams while the second division league will comprise seven clubs.

Initially, FERWAFA had said the bottom three teams from last season, and the seven new clubs would play a 10-team qualification tournament and the two finalists will join top six (from last season) to play in the 2017 first division, while the remaining eight would feature in the second division.

However, under the new format, at the end of the season, the bottom-placed team in first division league will be relegated to the second tier while the second league winner will earn promotion to the topflight league.

AS Kigali, the winner of the women league a record eight consecutive seasons will begin their title defence away to Kamonyi FC in Remera Rukomo.

However, for the first time in the history of AS Kigali, the City of Kigali-sponsored side will be under the guidance of a new face, Shaban Mbarushimana following the sacking of long-serving Grace Nyinawumuntu.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw