Peace Cup: Intare edge closer to quarter-finals after Bugesera win

Thursday APR Vs AS Kigali Marines Vs Rayon Gasogi Vs Rwamagana Hope Vs Etincelles Wednesday Mukura 1-3 Kiyovu Etoile Est 1-2 Police Intare 2-1 Bugesera Gicumbi 0-0 Espoir Intare have inched closer to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Peace Cup tournament after beating ten-man Bugesera 2-1 at Kigali Stadium on Wednesday. The two sides meet again in the decisive clash on Saturday, at Kicukiro Stadium, and a draw will be enough for Emmanuel Rubona’s second division outfit to advance to the next round. Bugesera, semi-finalists of the tournament’s 2013 edition, were reduced to ten men three minutes before the break after Nigerian forward Samsom Ikechekwu was sent off with a straight red card for his hard tackle – in the penalty area – on Serge Kabanda. The Intare FC striker, Kabanda, quickly rose up to take the penalty – and converted it well – as he sent the goalkeeper in opposite direction to double the army side’s lead following Gylain Ngabonziza’s opener in the 13th minute. The first-half ended 2-0. After the recess, Bugesera were noticeably the better side as they dominated the ball possession and squandered chance after chance including a missed penalty by Djihad Rucogoza in the 77th minute before Emmanuel Ruberwa scored the consolation goal for the visitors at stoppage time. Meanwhile, holders Mukura will even have a tough task in the return-leg following their disappointing 3-1 home defeat at the hands of SC Kiyovu on Wednesday. Alain Kirasa’s Kiyovu host Mukura at Mumena Stadium, on Saturday. APR, AS Kigali go head-to-head After Wednesday action, fixtures of the last-16 continue Thursday with another four games as record nine-time winners APR and AS Kigali face-off at Kigali Stadium. Kick-off 3pm. En route to their 2013 Peace Cup triumph, AS Kigali edged out APR in semi-finals. The two sides played out a 2-all draw in their last meeting, last month. In other matches, Marines host hopefuls Rayon Sports at Umuganda Stadium, Gasogi United take on Rwamagana City, while Hope FC will be up against Etincelles. editor@newtimesrwanda.com