APR, Rayon in pole position as national league winds up

Saturday AS Kigali vs. SC Kiyovu (Regional) Mukura vs. Espoir (Muhanga) Sunday APR vs. AS Muhanga (Regional) Rayon Sports vs. Musanze (Mumena) Etincelles vs. Amagaju (Umuganda) Police vs. Marines (Kicukiro) Gicumbi vs. Esperance (Gicumbi) THE HECTIC and thrilling Turbo King Football league comes to a climax this weekend with the winner set to be known on Sunday. Two matches will be played this Saturday with the remaining five scheduled for Sunday. AS Kigali placed third with 47 points host SC Kiyovu in a tricky battle set to be held at Kigali Regional Stadium while Espoir will be playing away to Mukura at Muhanga stadium. Coach Andre Casa Mbungo’s side who lost their midweek match against Mukura must win the game to cement their third place spot because a loss would see Police overtaking the Kigali City sponsored side. Gilbert Kanyankole’s SC Kiyovu playing without goalie Evariste Mutuyimana need a win to remain in fifth spot. Visitors Espoir face a mountainous task against rejuvenated Mukura in Muhanga. Emmanuel Ruremesha’s outfit will miss key players such as Moise Bizimana, Aimable Rucogoza and Moussa Kayiranga to suspensions. Espoir who are tied on 38 points with Musanze need a win to boost their chances of finishing the season in fifth position. Title decider On Sunday, fans from APR and Rayon Sports will be eager to see who lifts the 2013/14 Turbo King Football League title. APR is prime favourites to lift the title as they lead the standings with 61 points, two points ahead of Rayon Sports. A win for Vincent Mashami’s side against AS Muhanga would hand them their 14th league title. However, any slight mishap, would give Rayon Sports the opportunity to retain the title if they also win their final match of the season against Musanze. AS Muhanga pose a great threat if what happened in the Peace Cup is anything to go by. They forced APR to sweat in the 1/8th round with the military side snatching a win in spot kicks which ended 10-9 for the champions. Of recent players have gone three months without pay and this will be a hindrance for coach Ali Bizimungu to convince his players to fight for a win when they are in that poor state. APR is without midfielder Yannick Mukunzi while the blues will be missing suspended defender Alype Majyambere, all due to suspensions. Rayon Sports head coach Belgian Luc Eymael and star striker Cedric Amissi will miss today’s matches following their ban from football actions by Ferwafa. Eymael has been slapped a two-year ban while Amissi is serving a six-month ban. The blues will play in an empty stadium as part of the punishment following their fans’ violent action on Easter Sunday which resulted in vandalizing Amahoro stadium and the referee’s vehicle. Relegation battle This weekend will be crucial for the bottom five who are all in a state of being relegated to the second division league. Etincelles, placed tenth with 23 points host Amagaju with 20 points at Umuganda stadium while Police will take on Marines at Kicukiro turf. If Godfrey Okoko’s Amagaju can secure a win against Etincelles, their chances of staying in the league would be high. Esperance will be facing Gicumbi in another decisive match. Ninth-placed Gicumbi host Esperance who sit 13th with 20 points in a tricky tie due in Gicumbi. Jean Baptista Kayiranga’s side have nothing to fight for because they are already assured of staying in the top flight league but a win with seven goals for Esperance would mathematically guarantee them lifeline of featuring in next season’s top division league. AS Muhanga who face APR sit bottom of the standings with 18 points but if Ali Bizimungu can force a win against APR, and both Amagaju and Esperance lose their matches, then AS Muhanga would keep on featuring in the Turbo King Football League. Suspensions Moise Bizimana (Espoir) Aimable Rucogoza (Espoir) Moussa Kayiranga (Espoir) Yannick Mukunzi (APR) Cedric Mugenzi (Gicumbi) Alype Majyambere (Rayon Sports) Jean Claude Zigabe (Esperance) Jean Claude Gakuru (Esperance) Fidele Nduwimana (Etincelles) Evariste Mutuyimana (SC Kiyovu) Top scorers Cedric Amissi (Rayon) – 13 Wai Yeka (Musanze) – 12 Julius Bakaburindi (SC Kiyovu) – 11 Jacques Tuyisenge (Police) – 10 Meddie Kagere (Rayon) – 9 Fuadi Ndayisenga (Rayon) – 9 Claude Nahimana (Mukura) - 9