AS Kigali seek to maintain lead as league resumes

Friday AS Kigali vs Marines 3:30pmSunrise Fc vs BugeseraEtincelles Fc vs Musanze FCAS Muhanga vs Rwamagana CityGicumbi Fc vs Rayon Sports Sunday Mukura vs Amagaju 3:30pm After a three-month break, the Rwanda national football league resumes today with a total of five matches scheduled on Match-day 10, and one fixture set to be played on Sunday to complete the weekend. Table leaders AS Kigali, with 21 points, three points ahead of rivals Rayon Sport and APR in the second and third positions respectively, will be seeking to keep their unbeaten streak when they host Abdul karim Nduhirabandi’s Marine FC at Mumena stadium. However, AS Kigali coach Eric Nshimiyimana admits his side expects a tough challenge from Marine that tends to up their game every time they face the top teams. Marines are in 14th position in the 16-team table standing with seven points, having won one league game drawn four and lost four. “It has been a long time since we played, so this game is not going to be easy because before the league break, we had picked momentum and were close to reaching our peak, but now we have to start from zero,” said Nshimiyimana. He added, “Nonetheless, we are well prepared for the game, Marines are capable of causing an upset despite their lowly position, so we can’t afford to take anything for granted, we need to win to keep our title hopes alive.” Nshimiyimana will be hoping to see his main striker Ernest Sugira continue his rich form which saw him net three goals in three matches for Amavubi during the just concluded Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Elsewhere, second-placed Rayon Sports also have a tricky away fixture against Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Gicumbi FC at Gicumbi stadium. Gicumbi are currently in 7th position with 14 points. The Blues’ head coach Ivan Minneart could hand a debut to his new signing Ismaila Diarra. The 24-year-old Malian international striker joined Rayon Sports on a six-month contract until the end of the season. Sunrise FC, under their new head coach Sosthene Habimana face Ally Bizimungu’s Bugesera FC in the Eastern Province derby at Rwamagana ground. Entincelles FC, in 15th place with 6 points host Musanze, who are under newly appointed Ugandan coach, George Semwogerere after parting company with Barack Hussein. The Tanzanian tactician left Musanze in 12th position with nine points. On Sunday, sixth-placed Mukura Victory Sports will entertain Amagaju FC, in 8th place, at Huye stadium whereas the matches between Police and Espoir as well as APR against SC Kiyovu have been postponed as Police and APR have engagements in the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League respectively this weekend. editorial@newtimes.co.rw