SC Kiyovu eye Peace Cup title after modest league campaign

SC Kiyovu manager Alain Kirasa has urged his players to put their average league campaign behind and focus on winning the 2019 Peace Cup title. This year’s Peace Cup tournament gets underway next month. Kirasa, a former Burundi international, hopes to guide the Green Baggies to their first Peace Cup glory and the first major title in 26 years – since their 1993 league title. The Nyamirambo-based side have lost the tournament’s final three times, twice against APR in 1995 and 1996 and in 1997 against now-defunct Rwanda FC. “We want to make amends for our mild league campaign by clinching the league title, and that is what I and my players are challenging ourselves for,” Kirisa said. However, he is also aware of the mountain to climb ahead and has singled out, among others; holders Mukura, Rayon Sports and APR as the main challengers his side should be watchful about. Kiyovu have never won the country’s second biggest club competition under the rebranded name ‘Peace Cup’, having previously claimed it twice in 1975 and 1985 as Rwanda Cup. A total 19 teams have registered to take part in the annual tournament; ten from the Azam Rwanda Premier League and nine second tier clubs. Following their 2-1 defeat to Police on Sunday, Kiyovu are in fifth position on the 16-team league table with 42 points, having only recorded 12 victories from their 28 games this term. editor@newtimesrwanda.com