Tuesday
AS Kigali Vs Kiyovu 15:00
Etincelles Vs Impessa 15:00
Vision Vs Aspor 15:00
Pipiniere Vs Rutsiro 15:00
Sunrise Vs Espoir 15:00
Holders AS Kigali will be hoping to seal a place in the second round of this year’s Peace Cup when they face SC Kiyovu in the second-leg of their first round tie at Kigali Stadium on Tuesday.
Kick-off 3pm.
The two Nyamirambo-based sides square off in a now-or-never affair after playing out a goalless draw in the first-leg last week.
Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, SC Kiyovu head coach Emmanuel Ruremesha said that he was banking on his players to step up for the challenge as they look to end their long wait for a major silverware.
"After last week’s draw, we are even in a more difficult situation,” Ruremesha confessed.
"We are going to do all that we can to go through, we will fight and keep believing till the final whistle. I am confident in my players – they can step up for the challenge.”
Three-time Peace Cup winners AS Kigali clinched last year’s title after edging SC Kiyovu 2-1 in the final as they denied the Green Baggies a first major title since the 1992/1993 league title.
In a separate interview, AS Kigali coach Eric Nshimiyimana also admitted that, "I think it will be a tough match on both sides. There are no favourites for victory.”
"We have prepared well for the game, and players understand the magnitude of the task at hand. As holders, we don’t want to be eliminated from the first round,” noted the former Rwanda international.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, AS Muhanga take on Interforce with a healthy 5-0 advantage from the first leg, Etincelles look to sustain their 1-0 lead against Impessa, Espoir look to overcome Sunrise after losing 1-0 last week’s first-leg.
In other matches, Vision delight Aspor with a narrow 2-1 advantage whereas Rutsiro will be looking to see off Pepiniere after winning the first-leg 1-0.
Peace Cup winners automatically secure the ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s second biggest club competition.