AS Kigali sinks Academie Tchite; Rayon set for AC Leopards clash

Africa Champions League TodayAC Leopards (Cgo) vs Rayon Sports (Rwa)Berekum Chelsea (Gha) vs Atlabara (SS)Enyimba (Nig) vs Anges de Notsé (Tog)AS Vita Club (DRC) vs Kano Pillars (Nig)Astres De Douala (Cam) vs Akonangui FC (EQG)Asante Kotoko (Gha) vs Barrack Young Controllers (Lib)ES Setif (Alg) vs Steve Biko (Gam)Dynamos (Zim) vs Mochudi Center Chiefs (Bot)Zamalek (Egy) vs AS Douanes (Ngr)Mbabane Swallows (Swa) vs Nkana (Zam)Dedebit (Eth) vs KMKM (Zan)FC Nouadhibou (Mau) vs Horoya A.C (Gui) Confederation Cup YesterdayAS Kigali [Rwa] 1-0 Academie Tchite [Bur]Malakia FC (SS) 0-1 CARA (Congo)African Stars (Nam) 2-0 Atlético de Luanda (Ang)FC Konzo (Cgo) 2-0 Yong Sports (Cam) Champions’ LeagueLiga Muculmana (Moz) 1-0 Cnaps Sport (Mad)Young Africans (Tan) 7-0 Komorozine Sports (Com)Gor Mahia (Ken) 1-0 US Bitam (Gab) PEACE CUP WINNERS AS Kigali got off to a winning start in the first leg match of the preliminary round of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup. The Rwandan representative snatched a slim 1-0 win over Academie Tchite at Stade de Kigali yesterday, in a game that attracted few fans, despite there being no football action in other parts of the country. Striker Bodo Ndikumana broke the deadlock on 53rd minute after connecting a brilliant cross from left back Girinshuti Mwemere, with a perfect header. Despite the win, AS Kigali, who played without the injured pivotal midfielder Muhamed Mushimiyimana displayed a poor first half with Jimmy Mbaraga and Hamidou Ndayisaba wasting away two clear chances. Cedric Manirakiza, Patient Rashid and Corneile Imanihazwe stood out for Academie Tchite but they never created any danger in front of AS Kigali as both sides displayed a below-average football performance. With a few minutes to the end of the game, Coach Casa Gasambungo introduced two fresh pair sof legs with Latif Bishira replacing Patrick Umwungeri while Justin Mico went in for Bodo Ndikumana. The slim win should give AS Kigali a head start in Bujumbura when the two sides meet for the return leg next weekend. Rayon Sport line up AC Leopards Defending champions Rayon Sports make their much anticipated return to CAF club competition when they play away to Congo’s AC Leopards at Stade Denis Sassou Nguesso Dolisie in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round this afternoon. The blues are representing Rwanda in the CAF Champions League competition this year, hoping to perform better than arch rivals APR who got knocked out in the first round of the 2013 edition. Defender Alipe Majyambere will be making his official competitive debut for the Nyanza-based side. Coach Luc Eymael is optimistic Rayon Sports will get the desired result but cautions his players to avoid making mistakes. “Playing in Champions League is a big thing. We want to play well and go as far as we can. This is one of those games where you don’t have a clue about the qualities of the player you will be marking. This calls for caution, but we will be up for this tie, make no mistake,” “We are going for nothing short of a win and more specifically an away goal,” added Eymael. “We are all in good shape and confident. The boys are focused and capable of getting good results,” said Ndayisenga, Rayon Sports captain. Gentil Salita Kambale is expected to lead the hunt for goals alongside Ugandan international Jakech Samson with Amavubi international Meddie Kagere, Burundian duo of Fuadi Ndayisenga and Cedric Amissi and Aphrodis Hategikimana patrolling the midfielder. Karim Nizigiyimana, Abouba Sibomana, Hussein Sibomana, Majyambere, Robert Ndatimana and Leo Uwambajimana are expected to start at centre back, right and left back as well as central midfield respectively. Rayon Sports are also returning to Africa Champions League for the first time since 2005 and of recent, they haven’t quite got into the rhythm when it comes to continental competitions. A win for Rayon Sports over the two legs will land them another tricky encounter against the winner between 1ero Agosto of Angola and Lioli from Lesotho in the first round. Elsewhere, Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have the upper hand in the second leg of the CAF Champions League qualifiers return match against Gabon’s US Bitam after a hard fought 1-0 first leg win courtesy of Dan Sserunkuma’s spot kick in Nairobi on Saturday. Club World Cup finalists Raja Casablanca kicked off their African Champions League campaign in style with a resounding 6-0 victory over Diamond Stars of Sierra Leone. The Moroccan champions - who lost out to Bayern Munich 2-0 for the club world title in December - got their continental campaign off to a flying start thanks to four goals from Mouhssine Iajour, and one each from Abdelilah Hafidi and Abdelkabir El Ouadi.