Crunch time as Scandinavia host AS Kigali in league title decider
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Skipper Jazira Uwineza, seen here during the two sidesu2019 reverse fixture at Kigali Stadium in April, looks to inspire Scandinavia to their maiden league title, only on second attempt. / File

Sunday Scandinavia Vs AS Kigali 15:00 Gakenke Vs Kamonyi 14:00 ES Mutunda Vs Rugende 14:00 AS Kabuye Vs Inyemera 14:00 Bugesera Vs Rambura 13:00

Scandinavia will be looking for a historic first championship when they host archrivals AS Kigali in their final match of this season’s women national football league on Sunday.

The game starts 3pm at Umuganda Stadium.

A draw will be enough for Scandinavia to end AS Kigali’s decade-long dominance of women football, having won the league title for a record tenth consecutive season in June 2018.

Speaking to Sunday Sport, Scandinavia coach Radjab Bizumuremyi confessed that, "This is probably my biggest match in coaching career.”

In a similar scheduling of last year’s final match round – when AS Kigali beat Scandinavia 1-0 to  lift the title, the country’s two finest women football clubs go head-to-head again in a winner-take-all affair. 

Ahead of the highly anticipated clash, unbeaten Scandinavia top the table with a maximum 51 points, three ahead of Shaban Mbarushimana’s AS Kigali. However, the latter have a superior goal difference (77) compared to Scandinavia’s fifty-eight.

"We have grown so much in experience and maturity since losing last year’s final match, I hope for a different result this time. But, whatever the outcome, I have spoken with my players and urged them to give everything on the pitch,” Bizumuremyi added.

Scandinavia thrashed AS Kigali 3-0 in the two sides’ reverse fixture in April.

In a separate interview, AS Kigali head coach Mbarushimana admitted, "We are caught between a rock and a hard place. This is the toughest title race we have had, and obviously Scandinavia – as hosts – have a better chance.”

He further noted: "We have not given up, and we will not until the final whistle. We won a similar match there last year, and I am confident we can do it again.”

In their last five meetings, giants AS Kigali won three against Scandinavia’s one, while the two sides played out a draw once.

The champions will rack in Rwf3.5million in cash prize on top the trophy, while first runners-up will walk away with Rwf1.5million.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com