Rwanda Premier League side, Gasogi United have pulled out of the 2023 Peace Cup tournament before it kicks off on February 14.

The club management didn’t state the reason for their withdrawal with reports indicating that they want to concentrate on the race for the league title which they have never won. They now sit second with 35 points, two adrift of leaders APR.

"The management of Gasogi United regrets to announce that the team has withdrawn from the 2023 Peace Cup edition due to deferent reasons,” the club said a statement

Their withdrawal come just hours after the draw held at Ferwafa headquarters in Remera, during which they had been drawn to face Rwamagama City.

Rwamagama City will now progress to the 1/16th round of the competition, as a result.

This year's Peace Cup will start with the preliminaries after which qualified teams will again be brought together for another draw of the two-leg knockout stages stating from round of 32.

The likes of runners-up APR, Police, Rayon Sports and Mukura Victory Sports will join the tournament starting in the round of 16.

Peace Cup, Rwanda’s second biggest football tournament, attracts top flight and second tier league teams. The winner represents the country at the CAF Confederation Cup.

AS Kigali won last season’s Peace Cup after beating rivals APR 1-0 in the final at Kigali Stadium back in June 2022.

The 2023 edition will be without the reigning champions after they announced that they won’t take participate in the competition.

Preliminaries draw

Gorilla v Sunrise

The Winners v Etincelles

La Jeunesse v Gicumbi

Nyanza v Bugesera

Impessa v Intare

Etoile de l'Est v Marines

Ivoire Olempique v Amagaju

Esperanse v Espoir

Rutsiro v AS Muhanga

Gasabo United v Musanze FC