Azam Rwanda Premier League kicks off today

Friday Mukura vs Police 3:30pmBugesera vs SC Kiyovu Saturday AS Muhanga vs Espoir Etincelles FC vs APR Gicumbi FC vs Amagaju Sunday AS Kigali vs Rwamagana City Sunrise vs Musanze FC Marines FC vs Rayon Sports Police FC head coach Andre Casa Mbungo and his Mukura counterpart Godfrey Okoko will be out to claim the first three points of the season when the 2015/16 Azam Rwanda Premier League season gets underway this afternoon at Muhanga Stadium. Police finished third in the league last season and also won the Peace Cup, for the first ever major silverware in the club’s history while Mukura Victory Sports ended the campaign in a disappointing tenth position. Ahead of today’s league opener, Casa Mbungo said, “It’s always important to win the first game of the season, it helps in terms of building confidence going into a long season ahead.” “It will be difficult against Mukura because they are a very good side with an experienced coach but we want to give our best to win it. Winning this first game will put us in a good position to start the fight for the title,” he stated. His counterpart Okoko says facing Police, a team seen by many as genuine title contenders, is a very good test for his team’s own credentials. “We can lose against Police but it’s the way we react afterwards that matters to me, nonetheless, we shall go into the game on Friday with a purpose to win and get our season off to a good start,” the Burundian-born tactician told Times Sport. He added, “Last season, we didn’t have a good start, which affected the team for the rest of the season, therefore, we need to try and make a better start this time round.” Police have been the busier of the two clubs in the transfer market, signing a total of 14 new players as Casa Mbungo seeks to end APR’s stronghold in the local league. In today’s other match, newly promoted Bugesera FC, who won the second division league title last season, begin life in the top flight division with a home date against SC Kiyovu. SC Kiyovu’s new head coach, Innocent Seninga, will be looking for three points against Ali Bizimungu, who was in charge of Kiyovu at the start of last season before he was sacked after a run of poor results. Meanwhile, reigning champions, APR FC begin their title defence away to Etincelles at Tam Tam stadium in Rubavu on Saturday. On Sunday, AS Kigali will host Rwamagana City FC at Mumena Stadium; Jimmy Mulisa’s Sunrise will be up against Musanze FC in Rwamagana while Marines FC will host Rayon Sports. editorial@newtimes.co.rw