LEAGUE PREVIEW : Title challengers go at it in epic battle

Playing today Police vs Mukura Kiyovu vs Marines Amagaju vs Electrogaz Etincelles vs AS Kigali Musanze vs Rayon Playing Sunday APR vs Atraco League favorites, APR and Atraco battle tomorrow in an encounter likely to determine the league’s half-way mark top order. Both sides have had a mixed start to the campaign yet that will not rule out fireworks at Nyamirambo stadium as the country’s top two side go at each. APR who table leaders on 19 points with a wider goal difference, have secured six victories, drawing and losing once this season. However, the taxi-men side is confident and not bothered by the statistics. “My players have regained their confidence and they want to win against Atraco,” APR coach Erik Paske. The Dutchman will however, deeply miss the services of influential defender Mbuyu Twite who ruptured his ankle during APR’s last league outing against high-flying Etincelles on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Atraco assistant coach Emmanuel Ruremesha is aware that a win against the military side would propel their side to second position. “If we beat APR, which I am sure we can, we will move a slot on the league table,” Ruremesha said. The taxi-men side will also miss the services of Ronald Kamoga who will be serving a one-match suspension and striker Andre Lomami who is nursing an ankle injury. But before the top to the table battle tomorrow, action resumes this afternoon when Police takes on Mukura at Nyamirambo stadium. Police coach Jean Paul Munyankindi is beaming with confidence to snatch maximum points against Mukura, a side which has also regained confidence to get itself out of the relegation recently. Munyankindi said, “We’re ready to win the game. I have no injuries and I have the weapons to destroy Mukura.” “I will only miss the services of Jimmy Gatete who has relocated Ethiopia’s St. George but the rest of the players are ready to do the job,” Munyankindi said. However, his opposite number rival Ali Bizimana of Mukura is boosted with a good morale among his players who were paid their arrears recently. “Morale has returned back at the club and players are ready to win. We are not thinking about losing any game at this period. We had bad times but no more,” Bizimana said. Police stands on fourth on the league table with 14 points while Mukura is trailing on eighth position with 9 points.Early season surprise package Etincelles host relegation battling AS Kigali d at Umuganda stadium. Coach Rajab Bizimuremye said, “After losing to APR in midweek, we can’t afford another loss. It’s a must win match against AS Kigali.” Etincelles can regain the top spot with a win, at least for 24 hours before APR’s game against Atraco. Table Team P W D L PtsAPR FC 8 6 1 1 19Etincelles 8 6 1 1 19Atraco 8 5 2 1 17Police 8 4 2 2 14Rayon 8 4 2 2 14Electrogaz 8 3 1 4 10Kiyovu 8 3 1 4 10Mukura 8 3 0 5 9Amagaju 8 2 2 4 8Musanze 8 1 3 4 6AS Kigali 8 1 2 5 5Marines 8 1 1 6 4 Top Scorers Roger Tchouassi Police 6Bokota Labama APR 5Pappy Gasana Rayon 5Claver Muhire Etincelles 3Jimmy Gatete Police 3Abbas Rassou APR 3 Ends