Matchday 11

Feb. 6SC Kiyovu vs Bugesera FCRayon Sports vs APR FCEtincelles vs MiroplastAmagaju FC vs EspoirSunrise FC vs Mukura VS

Feb. 7AS Kigali vs Kirehe FCMarines VS Police FCMusanze FC vs Gicumbi FC

SC Kiyovu will continue fighting to keep top spot in the Azam Rwanda Premier League for as long as possible, according to head coach Andre Casa Mbungo.

The league has been called off until February 6 to allow, the national team, ‘Amavubi’ to take part in the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN), which will run from January 13 to February 4 in Morocco.

SC Kiyovu lead the league table with 20 points, two points ahead of AS Kigali and three better than the record 16-time league champions APR FC, who are third, after ten rounds of matches.

Defending champions, Rayon Sports are in fourth place, five points off the pace but have a game in hand, while Miroplast FC and Espoir occupy the two relegation spots with 8 points apiece.

"It’s a tight competition in the league this season and it will be tough for whoever will be champion indeed, it’s not an easy task but we will keep working to improve and try to do better in every game,” Casa Mbungo told Times Sport.

He added: "The race is between the top five teams but if we keep winning our games and our rivals lose a couple of matches between now and end of the season, the picture can easily change. That is why we will fight until the end.”

When the league resumes, the league leaders will host 10th-placed Bugesera FC at Mumena Stadium and Casa Mbungo insists that, "Even if the team is performing really well, we still need to add some new faces in order to keep our position.”

The former AS Kigali and Police FC coach declared that, "Yes, we are looking to sign a couple of players this month, including a good striker but at the moment, I can’t reveal the names because we are still in talks.”

Asked about the next match against Bugesera FC, two-time Peace Cup winning coach, Casa Mbungo said, "I can’t say much about the game because we still have a whole month to prepare, but generally, our target is to get three points and stay top of the table.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw