Blues key duo out of Gicumbi clash

Today APR vs Espoir 3:30pm Gicumbi vs Rayon Sports SC Kiyovu vs Etincelles Sunrise vs Musanze Sunday AS Kigali vs Isonga 3:30pm Marines vs Amagaju Police vs Mukura RAYON SPORTS visit lowly Gicumbi today without captain Fuadi Ndayisenga and right back Karim Nizigiyimana on match day seven of the National Football League. Ndayisenga, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this week, will be out of this encounter raising concern for the Blues’ interim head coach Sosthene Habimana, who is likely to replace the midfielder with either Eric Irambona or Leon Uwambazimana. Habimana will also miss the services of Nizigiyimana, who accumulated two yellow cards and according to the tactician this is a very big loss to the side that is second on the table standings with 13 points, one behind the reigning champions APR. “We have to register victory against Gicumbi so that we go into the international break with a lot of confidence,” explained Habimana. Going into the international break top of the league table is also top priority for archrivals APR who host Espoir at the Kigali Regional Stadium. Winning is the only target for Ljubomir Petrovic, who is likely to field a weakened side because of injuries to several first team players and for today’s game, the Serbian will rely on the experience of captain Ismael Nshutiyamagara and midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza. Following a goalless draw against Police in midweek, Petrovic has made it clear that he is anxious for his side to return to winning ways and against an inconsistent Espoir side that lost to Rayon Sports 1-0 in midweek. A win for the Rusizi-based side will see them join the top half on the league table, a feat coach Alphonse Gatera is keen to achieve. Petrovic will be without striker Michel Ndahinduka and defender Michel Rusheshangoga. Elsewhere, Mukura will be eyeing their maiden victory this season when they take on Police tomorrow at the Kicukiro stadium while AS Kigali will hope to find the back of the net for the first time in four games when they take on newcomers Isonga. Amagaju faces a big test when they take on the on-form Marines FC that has bagged seven points in the last three games notably a 1-1 against APR, a 3-1 win over Police and a 1-0 victory over Mukura that saw the latter sack Jean Baptiste Kayiranga. Top scorers Jacques Tuyisenge -Police 3 Miamy Mbakiye -Kiyovu 3 Peter Otema -Rayon Sports 3 Muvunyi Haruna -Marines 3 Kasolo Mustafa- Gicumbi 3 Jean Bosco Harorimana -Etincelles 3