Eight Rwandan referees have been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to handle two fixtures of the first round of this year’s CAF Champions League. One match will pit AS Manga Sport of Gabon against Etoile du Congo of Congo-Brazzaville while the other game to also be handled by Rwandans will see Saint Eloi Lupopo of DR Congo hosting Bandari FC from Kenya. Both fixtures are slated for the weekend of February 12-14. Louis Hakizimana (centre referee), assisted by Zephanie Niyonkuru and Justin Karangwa as well as Nsoro Ruzindana (fourth official), will officiate the AS Manga Sport against Etoile du Congo first-leg game in Gabon. Another quartet, led by Jean Claude Ishimwe (centre referee), Ambroise Hakizimana (1st assistant ref) and Ambroise Niyitegeka (2nd assistant) with Abdoul Karim Twagirumukiza as the fourth official, will handle Lupopo against Bandari FC first-leg encounter in Lubumbashi. Since 2012, Louis Hakizimana has been on CAF and FIFA duties for several times while Jean Claude Ishimwe, who turned international last year, will be handling his second international match. His debut was the AFCON 2017 qualifier between Ethiopia vs São Tomé & Príncipe. The 15-time local league champions APR will represent the country in Champions League while Peace Cup winners, Police FC will compete in the CAF confederation Cup. APR will face Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland in the preliminary round while Police will be up against Atlabara FC from South Sudan. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
