Rayon Sports seek to retain league top spot

SaturdayPolice FC vs Mukura 3:30pmBugesera vs Marines SunriseFC vs Rayon Sports SundayAPR FC vs Kirehe 3:30pmEtincelles vs Pepiniere Amagaju vs AS Kigali Gicumbi FC vs Espoir League leaders Rayon Sports will be seeking to stay at the top of the table when they visit second-placed Sunrise FC in the national league on Saturday at Nyagatare ground. After four rounds of matches, Rayon Sports are tied with Sunrise at ten points —both have won three and drawn one but the 2013 league champions are top courtesy of their superior goal difference. “We want to keep a winning spirit when we play against any team so we must go to Nyagatare with the objective to win and stay at the top of the table,” says Rayon Sports head coach Djuma Masudi. Masudi says all his players are available for the match against Sunrise, where he will be relying on Burundian midfielders Pierrot Kwizera, who has scored 4 goals and Shassir Nahimana, who has three in the last four games. Masudi admitted that, “We are motivated to win because we are leading the table. The games upcountry are very hard to win because of the poor state of grounds, but we are ready and focused. If we want to win the league, we don’t have to complain about anything.” Meanwhile, Sunrise FC coach Andrew Ibeh said that, “I am trying to build a strong team here that can beat anyone. The Nyagatare-based side lost their perfect start to the season when they were held to a 1-1 draw in their last outing against league newcomers Pepiniere FC. And now ahead of their biggest test of the season yet, against Rayon Sports, the Nigerian admits to spending longer hours on the training ground preparing his team for a win. “We need the three points,” Ibeh pointed out in an interview with Saturday Sport, adding that, “The team has a lot to learn if we are to perform better this season.” He revealed that, “I have to set the bar high, because the only way to finish in a better position or win a trophy is we have to work harder. Rayon Sports are not easy opponents because they’re top of the table and will be hard to play.” The two teams met in the ‘AS Kigali Pre-Season Tourney’ and Rayon Sports thrashed Sunrise 4-0. Mali-born striker Moussa Camara scored a brace as Burundian international Kwizera and Frank Lomami scored a piece each. Ibeh’s side will rely on key players like Regis Mushimiyimana, Jean Paul Rurisa, Vedaste Niyibizi and Nigerian striker Romeo Ojenuwa. “We’re looking forward to the match against Rayon Sports because we want to secure a win to go back to top of the table. I know it will be tougher than what we have faced in the last fixtures, but we will give our best to get a good result,” he noted. Elsewhere today, Innocent Seninga’s third-placed Police FC will entertain7th place Mukura Victory Sports at Kicukiro Stadium where as ninth-placed Bugesera FC host bottom side, Marines at Nyamata ground. Action will continue on Sunday when defending champions APR FC, who go into the weekend in 5th position, will be at home against fourth-placed Kirehe FC at Kigali Regional Stadium. Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Etincelles will meet Pepiniere at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District while the struggling Amagaju in 14th spot host AS Kigali in 11th place, at Nyagisenyi stadium. Gicumbi will be up against Espoir in Gicumbi. editorial@newtimes.co.rw