Three league clubs barred from using home grounds

FridayRayon Sports vs Police (Kigali Regional Stadium, 18:00) SaturdayPepiniere FC vs Mukura VS (Kicukiro, 15:30)Etincelles FC vs Gicumbi FC (Umuganda Stadium)Bugesera FC vs Kiyovu SC (Bugesera) SundayMarines FC VS Espoir FC (Umuganda Stadium)Sunrise FC vs AS Kigali (Kicukiro Stadium)Kirehe FC vs Musanze FC (Kirehe)APR FC vs Amagaju FC (Kigali Regional Stadium) Three national league clubs will not host matches at their respective home grounds after they failed to meet the minimum standards. They include Nyagatare turf, which is the training ground for Sunrise FC in Eastern Province. Western Province based Gicumbi grounds, which is home to Gicumbi FC is also affected and Nyagisenyi (Nyamagabe) grounds, the turf for Amagaju FC in Southern Province. Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) spokesperson, Musa Hakizimana, said that the decision was taken after an adhoc committee, which was established to asses match venues, found the three pitches short of minimum standards. “We asked clubs to improve their grounds but some did not work on them, so we have decided to stop using them until they have been worked on,” Hakizimana said. Hakizimana said that Amagaju FC will now use Huye Stadium, which is normally used by Mukura or Kamena turf, which is located in Huye, while Gicumbi FC and Sunrise FC will be hosting their matches in Kigali. As the league kicks off tomorrow, Rayon Sports will be up against Police FC at Kigali Regional Stadium starting at 6pm while the other match-day one fixtures will be played on Saturday and Sunday. New league entrants Pepiniere FC will host Mukura VS at Kicukiro Stadium on Saturday; Etincelles host Gicumbi at Umuganda Stadium while Bugesera FC will be at home against SC Kiyovu in Nyamata. On Sunday, reigning champions APR FC will entertain Amagaju at Kigali Regional Stadium starting at 3:30pm. Marines will play against Espoir FC at Umuganda Stadium, Sunrise FC meet AS Kigali at Kicukiro Stadium ground and newly promoted Kirehe FC will face Musanze FC in Kirehe. editorial@newtimes.co.rw