Saturday

Men’s Final: Game 2Kirehe VC vs Giragara VC 11am* Gisagara lead series 1-0

Kirehe VC must put on an excellent display to deny favourites Gisagara VC a chance to seal the title when the two meet in Game 2 of the Playoff finals today at Nyakarambi grounds in Kirehe District.

Kirehe need to win as failure to do so will see Gisagara crowned champions at the first time of asking.

Having lost the first game last weekend; Fidele Nyirimana’s team will be looking to turn the title race in their favour when they host the second game in which they expect nothing less than victory.

Nyirimana, believes his side can overturn the deficit, level the series 1-1 and take the title decider into Game 3.

The home team will welcome their libero Theoneste Ntakabero, who injured his right elbow in the second set of the first game, while Gisagara will be without head coach Eric Gakwaya, who is with the men’s national sitting volleyball team competing in the ongoing Africa Sitting Volleyball Championship in Kigali.

In Gakwaya’s absence, league debutants Gisagara have hired former Rwanda international Ellie Mutabazi to take charge of the team for Game 2. Mutabazi plays for APR volleyball club that finished third in the league.

"The target is to win the match and take the title race into Game 3. I believe in my players, who have given their best to reach this stage. We have come very close (to the title), but if we don’t win on Saturday, it will mean nothing,” Nyirimana said on Friday.

Kirehe, who are in their third season, but are yet to win the league title, lost the first game 3-1 (25-23 25-19, 25-17 and 25-20) played last Saturday at Gisagara gymnasium.

Kirehe reached the playoff finals after defeating IPRC-South 2-1 in the semi-finals. They lost the first game 3-2, but recovered to claim the second and third games; 3-2 and 3-0 respectively. Gisagara dominated former champions APR VC 2-0 in the other semi final.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw