Buoyant AS Kigali look to extend lead

TodayAS Kigali vs Mukura Musanze vs APR SC Kiyovu vs Police Etincelles vs Rayon Sports AS Muhanga vs Marines LEADERS AS Kigali will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of the Turbo King Football League when they face Mukura on Tuesday at Stade de Kigali. Unbeaten in the past six matches, Andre Gasambungo’s side go into today’s game as favourites against a visiting Mukura side that has lost five of its last eight matches.The team has lost all three of its recent fixtures – against APR, Rayon Sports and Police.Facing AS Kigali, a team that has lost just once of the last eight matches is a huge ask for coach Cedric Kaze and his struggling troops. “The team has picked up the rhythm and I hope, against Mukura, we can maintain our good start,” Gasambungo told Times Sport ahead of today’s clash at Stade de Kigali in Nyamirambo.But he warned his players: They (Mukura) might be struggling latyely but they are a good team with the ability to hurt anyone in the league…we must give them respect and not take anything for granted, we cannot afford to underestimate any team.” However, Burundian tactician Kaze, who has seen his side struggle in the league this season, believes Mukura will bounce back after losing three matches a space of 14 days. “In those three defeats, there was a lack of concentration in defence and inability to score goals, which has cost us dearly, but we have to dig ourselves out of this hole, it’s not too late,” said the former Prince Rwagasore FC coach.Kaze’s side lost 2-1 at home to Police on Saturday, which followed 1-0 defeats to APR and Rayon Sports. Elsewhere, defending champions Rayon Sports travel to Rubavu for a date with Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium. Both sides go into today’s game on the back of defeats in their last fixtures. Rayon lost 1-0 to archrivals APR on Saturday, while Etincelles succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Gicumbi FC, who finally landed their first win of the season. Rayon’s Didier Gomes da Rosa will miss services of key midfielder-cum-striker Cedric Amissi, while Etincelles will be without defender Isiaka Nahimana. Both are suspended after each accumulated two yellow cards. The match of the round will be at Mumena Grounds in Nyamirambo where home side SC Kiyovu host Sam Ssimbwa’s Police. Gilbert Kanyankole’s Green Baggies have been in great form lately and are fifth in the table with 15 points, a point better than today’s opponents. Fresh from a nervy 1-0 win over champions Rayon, second-placed APR travel to third-placed Musanze.The record holders will be without their skipper Ismail Nshutiyamagara, who is suspended.