Today UGB Vs APR 6pm Espoir Vs REG 8pm

Saturday Men Patriots Vs Rusizi 1pm

Women The Hoops Vs IPRC- South 3pm

Star Times national basketball league side Espoir take on champions REG today at Amahoro indoors stadium hoping to be the first side to defeat them twice this season.

The five-time champions defeated Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 100-77 in the first-leg clash in January, thanks a career high 35 points from Burundian youngster Armel Sangwe.

Should Nyamirambo-based Espoir upset REG today, they will become the first team to defeat Cyril Kalima’s side twice in a single season, and head coach Maxime Mwiseneza is confident his men are up for the challenge.

"It’s going to be a tough game, against one of the best sides in the league,” Mwiseneza said in a telephone interview with Times Sport yesterday.

"Players are fit and fired up for the match. Like we did in the first-leg, we are going into the game with a positive mindset and ready to do everything we can for a positive result,” he added.

On the other hand, REG go into the tricky encounter against former champions, well aware that a defeat would see arch-rivals Patriots dethrone them on top of the table standings. The two giants jointly lead the table with 20 points each, but REG have a better score average.

In other matches, Patriots entertain winless Rusizi at club Rafiki in Nyamirambo.

Besides the Espoir against REG clash today, there will be another league clash  that will pit struggling UGB and 2010 champions APR. The contest starts at 6pm at Amahoro Stadium.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw