Sunday Rayon vs Mukura - 15:00 Musanze vs Etincelles - 15:00 Kiyovu vs Police - 15:00 Sunrise vs Marines -15:00 Espoir vs AS Muhanga - 15:00

RAYON Sports and Mukura Victory Sport rekindle their old rivalry when they square off on Sunday at Kigali Stadium, starting at 3pm.

It is a match that neither side will want to lose, as the Rwanda Premier League nears the halfway mark, with the Blues looking to cut the gap to the top while Mukura look to save what is left of their credentials as title contenders.

Ahead of the two sides’ clash, unbeaten APR – with 34 points – are six points clear at the top, with Rayon Sports second, while Mukura are in fourth place with 22 points.

If Rayon drop points, it will guarantee APR of the top spot going into the second-half of the league in January, irrespective of the result that will come out of the derby between Rayon and APR on Saturday, December 21.

Mukura interim coach Tony Hernandez has warned Rayon that his side can beat any opponent, and urged his players to ‘prove just that’.

"We want all the points. We know they (Rayon) are a good team, and we are ready for the challenge,” said the Spaniard.

He added: "This is a very important game for the club and our fans. We will fight with all we got to win it.”

The Huye-based side have only won six of their first 13 matches this season.

On the other hand, Mexican Martinez Espinosa challenged his Rayon Sports players in a separate interview that "We should do all that is possible to minimize their scoring chances.”

Mukura beat Rayon in their last two encounters at Kigali Stadium – including the 2018 Peace Cup final. 

"We can’t let APR off our sight, so we can’t afford a setback on Sunday. This is probably our most important game so far this season,” says Espinosa.

Courtesy of a solo first-half strike from forward Djabel Manishimwe, APR beat Heroes on Saturday, at Bugesera Stadium, to maintain their unbeaten record this campaign.

In another highly anticipated match on Sunday, third-placed Police take on sixth-placed SC Kiyovu at Mumena Stadium. Kick-off 3pm.