AS Kigali coach set for ‘biggest’ game of his career

Andre Gasambungo, the head coach of national football league leaders AS Kigali, admits that his team’s first leg match against Burundi’s Academia Tchite in the two-legged qualifying round of the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup will be the biggest in his and his players’ careers. The two sides will square off in the first leg on the weekend of February 8- 9 in Kigali and then a week later in Bujumbura. Yet Gasambungo is convinced his team will overcome the Burundians. The City of Kigali side won the Peace Cup last season and have made an impressive start to the new campaign. They lead the table with 22 points after ten rounds of matches. Speaking to Times Sport following Monday’s draw held in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, Gasambungo said he was happy to be drawn against a team from the region. AS Kigali have a “very good” chance of progressing to the first round proper, he said. “For the current squad, it’s the first appearance in a CAF competition, so it’s a new challenge but one we are relishing. It’s a dream for any coach or player to play on the biggest stage, this competition is the second biggest club competition on the continent,” Gasambungo said. However, the former SEC Academy coach, noted: “We need to continue to work hard and make sure that we have adequate preparations for our return to the continental stage. I need to build the confidence in my players ahead of this match.” “It will be difficult because we’re still a young team and the first leg at home will be the biggest match for all of us, but we have to be confident. “Keeping a clean sheet in the first leg will be crucial for our chances of progressing to the next stage, so it’s important that we get a couple of goals and make sure we don’t give them an away goal,” he warned. While AS Kigali will be competing for the second time in the competition having made their debut in 2001, Academia Tchite will be participating for the first time in any continental competition. Academia Tchite were the winners of the Burundi Cup last season. AS Kigali, one of the few teams composed of only Rwandan players – along with APR and Police FC – finished last season in sixth position with 36 points. At the moment, they are riding high at the summit of the Turbo Kingo league table. AS Kigali also won the inaugural season curtain-raiser, the Super Cup, beating league champions Rayon Sports 1-0.