Kiyovu target home win

KIYOVU will count on home advantage when they host Tanzanian side Simba in the preliminary round of the Orange Confederation Cup this afternoon at Kigali Regional Stadium.

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Julius Bakabulindi will lead Kiyovu's attack this afternoon. The New Times / File.

Orange Confederation CupTodayKiyovu vs Simba (3.30pm)KIYOVU will count on home advantage when they host Tanzanian side Simba in the preliminary round of the Orange Confederation Cup this afternoon at Kigali Regional Stadium.The green baggies coach Baptist Kayiranga reckons that a win this afternoon will put his side in a good position ahead of the return leg."In such competitions, it’s important to win your home games and then play for a draw away so that is exactly what we shall be playing for tomorrow,” the former Rayon Sport coach said.Simba will be led by former APR and Atraco midfielder Patrick Mafisango. Even without the likes of Gervais Kago, Dereck Walulya, Haruna "Boban” Moshi and Amir Maftah, the Tanzanian side boasts of vast experience in Juma Kaseja, Ali Mustapha, Nasoro Masoud, Juma Jabu, Kelvin Yondani, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Uhuru Seleman and Emmanuel Okwi.In his pre-match interview, Simba coach Milovan Cirkovic was in confident mood."We came here for a win and we shall play our hearts out to make sure we achieve our target,” he said.Simba is eager to match their 1993 run when they reached the final only to lose to Ivory Coast’s Stella Abidjan. En route to the final, Simba ejected El Harrach of Algeria and Angola’s AS Aviacao.The winner between Kiyovu and Simba will face ESS of Algeria in the round of 16.The match will be handled by center referee Thierry Nkurunziza of Burundi.The last time Kiyovu competed in the competition was in 1994 when they were knocked out in the preliminary round.Probable Squads:SC Kiyovu: Pascal Dukuzeyezu, Godfrey Katerega, Patrick Umwungeri, Eric Serugaba, Hussein Sibomana, Jean Shyaka, Bakabulindi Julius, Simon Okwi, Landry Gashema, Nelly Mayanja and Fiston Shauri Nyarugeta.Simba: Juma Kaseja, Nassoro Cholo, Juma Jabu, Kelvin Yondani, Juma Nyosso, Shomari Kapombe, Uhuru Suleiman, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Felix Sunzu, Emanuel Okwi na Patrick Mafisango