Etincelles assistant coach Francois Karisa is optimistic they can knock out three-time Peace Cup champions AS Kigali from the 2024/25 edition.

Karisa travelled with the team to Kigali in the absence of his head coach Mailo Nzeyimana whose contract has been terminated through mutual consent.

In the first leg of the encounter, he pulled a master stroke by defeating AS Kigali 3-2 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, January 15.

Karisa says his target is to knock out the Citizens and progress to the next stage of the competition.

"What brought me here is to score goals and I am lucky we won 3-2 ahead of the return leg at our home. We are going to work hard to eliminate AS Kigali," he said.

"We entered the pitch with fatigue and that is why we conceded an early goal. I thank my players for the victory,” he added.

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Etincelles managed only two wins out of 15 games in the first round of the league and Karisa is optimistic defeating AS Kigali is a morale booster.

"The confidence level of my players was low but we beat AS Kigali in the league on week 15 and we have come to their home to defeat them in the Peace Cup. I think my players are getting their confidence back. This will help us in the second round of the league," he added.

Etincelles will host AS Kigali at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu on Tuesday, January 21, with a place in the next round of the Peace Cup up for grabs.