APR open title defence against Mukura

Primus league Saturday’s fixtures APR vs MukuraPolice vs AmagajuMuhanga vs RayonAS Kigali vs KiyovuLa Jeunesse vs EtincellesMusanze vs Marines CHAMPIONS APR begin their defence of the Primus league title this Saturday with a home tie against Mukura at Amahoro stadium. The military side has further bolstered their squad with three new signings in Zambian International Joseph Bwalya, Uganda’s Joseph Bagoole and Kipson Atuhaire. The trio joins new Dutch coach Ernie Bandts, who replaced his compatriot Erik Paske last month. APR are chasing for a fourth league title in a row and 12th overall. Elsewhere on the opening day, last season’s league runners up Etincelles are away to newly promoted La Jeunesse while Jean Marie Ntagwabira’s Kiyovu clash with AS Kigali. After reinforcing the squad and winning the pre-season Primus Cup, many are tipping Kiyovu to challenge the big guns APR and Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Rayon for the title. The Blues, who last won the league in 2004, open their campaign against newly promoted Muhanga and there is no doubt that Ruremesha will be looking to impress the Rayon management who kept him on for another season. The former Atraco assistant signed a new one-year renewable contract in the off-season. Amagaju face Police while Musanze and Marines meet in a Western-province derby. In a related development, a get-together party for all stakeholders of the league is on the cards this Friday at Bralirwa headquarters in Kicuriko. The stakeholders who include all the 12 top flight clubs, ferwafa officials, sports scribes and Bralirwa officials will use the occasion to brainstorm ways of taking the sport to a whole new level. Ends

Sports

APR open title defence against Mukura