Mfutila continues search for first win

Today Isonga vs APR Musanze vs Amagaju Etincelles vs Mukura Rayon Sports vs Police Espoir vs Marines Rayon Sports head coach Andy Magloire Mfutila is seeking to register his first win when the Blues take on Police FC today at the Muhanga stadium as the National Football League resumes after a two-week break over the festive season. The Congolese tactician is yet to register a win since taking charge at the Nyanza-based side in November last year and has admitted to experiencing pressure following a poor run of results including three draws and a loss in the domestic league. Mfutila told Times Sport that, “Honestly, we want to win against Police because we have not won a game since I became coach (of Rayon Sports). Every game that we have played has been difficult for us and of course there is always pressure but I hope to finally get my first win.” Against Police FC, the Blues meet a side that is anxious to maintain third position on the table standings and are currently one point above today’s opponents, who have 19 points from 11 matches, after five wins and four draws. The last time both sides met was in the semi-final of the Ombudsman Cup in December, Police defeated Rayon Sports 2-1 with the Blues strike netted by assistant captain Faustin Usengimana who has since been inconsistent in training and is unavailable for today’s encounter. Police head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo said, “It is difficult to play against a struggling team because every game that they play, they think that that is the game that will change their fortunes. We want to win this game and we shall bring everything we have to it and hope to win.” Elsewhere, Isonga will be up against reigning league champions APR at the Kicukiro stadium in what is expected to be a one-sided encounter as the bottom side hosts the table leaders who have a difference of 23 points between them. Most notably, midfielder Andrew Buteera will make his first appearance for the season after missing the first 11 games while waiting to get confirmation from the Immigration Office about his Rwandan nationality. At the start of the New Year, Ferwafa released a list of 11 players who were cleared to play as Rwandans following the Caf ban in August that disqualified Rwanda from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifiers for fielding a dual identity player Dady Birori alias Tady Etekiama Agiti. Buteera said, “I am excited about playing competitive football again. I have been training hard and I am looking forward to helping my team maintain our position at the top of the table.” APR sit on top of the table standings with 26 points from eight wins, two draws and one loss to lowly Gicumbi. In the other games, Musanze host Amagaju while Marines travel to Rusizi to take on Espoir and Etincelles host Mukura at the Umuganda stadium in Rubavu. editorial@newtimes.co.rw