But Ntagwabira hopes to dent former club’s title ambitions

Today

APR  vs  Kiyovu  15:30 Amahoro stadium
Musanze  vs  Amagaju  15:30
Electrogaz  vs  AS Kigali  15:30

Tomorrow

Mukura  vs  Etincelles  15:30 Huye
Atraco  vs  Police  15:30 Nyamirambo stad
Rayon  vs  Marines  15:30 Mumena

TEN-TIME league champion APR face an uphill task in their quest to retain their title as they take on on-form SC. Kiyovu this afternoon at Amahoro national stadium.

The military side, eyeing a record eleventh league title needs to win to reclaim top spot from Etincelles, who drew 0-0 with Kiyovu in midweek to go one point clear at the top of the league table standing.

While Erik Paske will be hoping for maximum points to keep his team’s title ambitions alive, his counterpart, Jean Marie Ntagwabira, has other ideas as he also targets all three points so as to maintain his side’s position among the big four clubs in the country.

Ntagwabira, whose side has regained good form lately following a poor start in the season wants to prove to his former employers that he has efficient tactics to stop their ambitions.

For APR, they will be using this game not only to get maximum points so as to keep their title push on track but also to put themselves in the best position ahead of next week’s trip to Angola next week for the return leg of the Orange Champions league against Recreativo Desportivo do Libolo.

Dutch coach Paske yesterday told Times Sport that he is positive about his team’s chances of snatching victory over archrivals Kiyovu.

"We have had good training this week and I have no doubt on my players. The good news ahead of Saturday’s game is the return Kalisa Mao and Didier Kapet,”
Kalisa has been out for last month of so with a broken thumb, while Ivory Coast born defender Kapet has been dealing with off-field problems with the club.

"We have to be extra careful because this in no time to lose points. Any slight mistake will cost our chances of retaining the league title,” Paske warned.

His opponent, Ntagwabira sounded almost similarly, "We have no room for any more mistakes. We want to win every possible point in the second round, and with that, we must be well prepared to deal with whatever APR throw at us.”

APR beat their rivals 3-0 in the corresponding fixture, and while Paske and his team will be aiming for a double, Ntagwabira, who openly criticized his under-performing players after that game, will be hoping to avert that first round drabbing at the same ground.  

Top scorers
Bokota Labama (APR) - 11 goals
Roger Tchouassi (Police) -9 goals

Table standing
Team  P  W  D  L  Pts
Etincelles   13  8  4  1  28
APR  12  8  3  1  27
Atraco  13  8  3  2  27
Rayon   13  7  4  2  25
Kiyovu   13  7  2  4  23
Police  12  6  3  3  21
Electrogaz 13  3  4  6  13
Amagaju  13  2  4  7  10
AS Kigali   13  2  4  7  10
Mukura   13  3  1  9  10
Marines    13  3  1  9  10
Musanze  13  2  3  8  9

Ends