Okoko cautions Mukura players not to lose focus

SundayMukura vs Etincelles, 3:30pmSunrise FC vs SC Kiyovu MondayRwamagana City vs Amagaju FC MUKURA Victory Sports coach Godfroid Okoko has warned his players not to get carried away by the team’s recent fine form and lose focus as the league leaders return to action on Sunday against Etincelles at Huye Stadium. The Huye-based outfit hit two birds with one stone on Wednesday, becoming the first side to beat title hopefuls AS Kigali this season, rising to the summit of the league table standings, and in the process dethroned the City of Kigali-sponsored side, who had held top spot since last October. Okoko’s in-form Mukura stunned Eric Nshimiyimana’s AS Kigali 2-0 at Kigali Regional Stadium for a fourth successive league victory, thanks to Burundian striker Christopher Ndayishimiye and Muhadjiri Hakizimana for the two first-half goals. “This is the point where we need total concentration; we need to work even harder in the remaining 13 games otherwise our happiness will short-lived. “I have told the players to stay calm and not allow to get carried away just because we’re top of the table, there is no room for complacency,” Okoko told Sunday Sport. The Burundian tactician added, “There is always room for improvement, our midfield is not as strong as we want it to be yet, nonetheless, there is notable progress every day. We need to win the game on Sunday and that’s what our attention is.” Former Prince Louis Rwagasore FC skipper also attributed his side’s current impressive run to immense support from club management as well as the form of attacking trio of Hakizimana (8 goals), Ndayishimiye (6) and Yussuf Habimana (4), who have a combined total of league 18 goals this season. Mukura have won more games than any other side in the league this season, nine wins, two draws and two defeats and top the table standings with 29 points, one ahead of AS Kigali and four better than third-placed Rayon Sports. Meanwhile, Rwamagana City and Espoir played out a goalless draw on Friday in Rwamagana town. editorial@newtimes.co.rw