Heroes Cup; Police, APR to clash in opener

Saturday: Day 1 Police FC Vs APR FC 1pmAS Kigali Vs Rayon Sports 3:30pm Jan. 27: Day 2APR FC Vs Police FCAS Kigali Vs Rayon Sports Feb. 1: Day 3Police FC Vs AS KigaliRayon Sports Vs APR FC Police FC and APR FC will clash in the opening match of this year’s Heroes Day tournament at Amahoro National Stadium today. The tournament involves the top four teams in last season’s Azam Rwanda Premier League. The first game will be between Police FC and APR FC, starting at 1PM and it will be followed by the clash between AS Kigali and league champions Rayon Sports, at 3:30pm. Day two matches will be played on January 27 with APR ( third last season) facing Police (2nd) while Rayon Sports will take on AS Kigali, a side that finished in fourth place. For the last day of the tournament on February 1, which is also the National Heroes Day, Police FC will take on AS Kigali, whereas holders APR will play against archrivals Rayon Sports. The winner of the Heroes Cup tournament will get Rwf6m on top of the trophy and gold medals, second place side will receive Rwf3m and silver medals, while the team that takes third place will walk away with Rwf2m and bronze medals. The fourth-placed team will take home Rwf1m. The competition will be played on a robin round format with all four teams playing each other and afterwards, FERWAFA’s Competitions Commission will consider the points tally and goal difference to determine the tournament winners. “We believe that the tournament will be better than last year, we hope to see the entertaining football among the contenders. It is a good tournament to remember our Heroes but also for the fans and teams,” said the FERWAFA Spokesperson, Prosper Ruboneza. The teams will use the available players, who are not on international duty as well as the new signings. It will be the first time that APR fans will be able to see new signings; Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and Jean Claude Iranzi, make their ‘second debuts’ for the military side. Last year, APR won the tournament after beating Rayon Sports 1-0, thanks to the lone goal from central defender Helve Rugwiro. Meanwhile, Rayon Sports beat Etincelles 1-0 in a warm-up game in midweek, thanks to Pierrot Kwizwera’s lone goal while league leaders SC Kiyovu drew 2-2 with Musanze FC. Mustapha Francis netted twice for SC Kiyovu while Japhet Irambona scored both goals for Musanze. editorial@newtimes.co.rw