All eyes will be at Nyagatare Stadium on Sunday, May 21 as Sunrise FC welcome title chasing Kiyovu Sports in a Rwanda Premier League match day 29 encounter that could decide either the hosts' fate for next season or Kiyovu's quest for their first league title since 1993.
Games between the two clubs have almost been even over the past years. Kiyovu recorded five victories against Sunrise’s four from the pair’s last 14 meetings while five more games ended with a draw.
Sunrise FC has, however, been the best side in their last two games. They held the Green Baggies to a goalless draw on June 17, 2021 before beating them 2-1 in the first round of the league held in Kigali on October 1, 2022.
The game promises to be top notch as both teams exhibited quality football in their last meeting.
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Despite Sunrise FC not being safe yet from relegation, their attacking pair of Samson Babuwa and Yafesi Mubiru have scored 20 goals between them and their partnership against Kiyovu on Sunday could pose more problems to the visiting team’s defense.
Babuwa, who netted the opener against his former club Kiyovu when they met in Kigali last October, is brimming with confidence as he is optimistic his side can get a win.
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"It will be a good game, we defeated them in the first round, we are going all out again. I am optimistic we can get a win," he told Times Sport.
Kiyovu Sports also know that a defeat in Nyagatare could blow their hopes of ending their 30-year title jinx with rivals APR chasing them in the race despite trailing three points on second position.
The latter welcomes Rwamagana City at Bugesera Stadium looking to use home advantage to amass the three maximum points and pile more pressure on Kiyovu.
Coach Alain Andre Landeut's side has been boosted by the return of their prolific striker Bienvenue Mugenzi. The forward has been out with injury for several weeks but could return to the team’s starting lineup during Sunday’s league decisive game.
The game is going to be dicey with both teams having sharp attackers. The determining factor of the match will be how their defenses can be very resolute throughout the 90 minutes.