Sunday  Rayon vs Musanze 15:30 APR vs Gasogi 15:30

Rayon Sports and APR have lined up warm-up matches, both scheduled for Sunday afternoon, as the two local heavyweights step up preparations for the upcoming 2019 Agaciro Cup tournament and the new season.

Champions Rayon Sports take on Musanze at Kigali Stadium, starting at 3:30 pm, while APR will be up against topflight league newcomers Gasogi at Kicukiro Stadium, same time.

Speaking to Sunday Sport on Saturday, Rayon Sports interim coach Jean-Baptiste Kayiranga revealed that he will field two different lineups during the game to give playing time and boost match fitness for all his players.

"Musanze are a good team, so they will help us gauge our readiness for Agaciro Cup and the new season,” said the former Rwanda international. "Our squad is a blend of youth and experience, definitely the ability to compete and win trophies is there.”

The Blues are not only the league champions but are also holders of the Agaciro Development Fund football tournament’s title, which they won last year after beating APR 1-0 in the final.

Kayiranga’s men will start the quest for their title defense against Police on September 13. Should they see off the law enforcers, they will meet – in the final – the winner between APR and Mukura in the other semi-final.

Inaugurated in 2015, the annual Agaciro football tournament brings into competition the top four teams of the most recent league season.

Winners of the 2019 Agaciro Cup will pocket Rwf3 million, with the beaten finalists receiving Rwf1.5 million while the second runners-up will walk away with Rwf500,000.

The final is set for September 15, three weeks before the 2019/2020 Rwanda Premier League campaign kicks-off, on October 4.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com