Ivoire Olympique head coach Amran Hategekimana insists Friday’s encounter against AS Muhanga is a do-or-die as they aim for a top four finish. The pair face off in a last fixture of the regular season that will take place at Muhanga stadium. Ivoire Olympique have been a surprise package on their maiden season in the second division league. They now aim not only a revenge against a Muhanga side which beat them 1-0 in the first round of the league but a victory would also see them book a ticket to the playoffs. “We’re well prepared for tomorrow [Friday]’s match. We know it’s going to be a difficult one but we will give our all to win it,” Hategekimana told Weekend Sport on Thursday. “We take this game as the final because it will determine the overall image of how our season went, so it’s a do-or-die match for us,” he added. Ivoire Olympique’s chances of qualifying to the playoffs are partly in the hands of AS Muhanga whose coach Abdul Mbarushimana said he does not care about the opponent’s situation as his side is also in contention of finishing in the second place in an attempt to avoid a tougher opponent draw during the playoffs. “We have to win our last match to cement our second place, because it will help us to play our second leg game at home in the playoffs,” the former Amagaju FC gaffer said. But the second division league debutants don’t see any point of depending on anyone but themselves with club’s sporting director Silas Mutegetsi hopeful that the team has what it takes to beat Muhanga and advance to the playoffs. “We have full confidence in our coaching staff, players and everyone in the team that we can beat anyone regardless of what history he has, we’ve shown that throughout the whole season,” Mutegetsi told Weekend Sport. “Everything is possible in football. So we leave that room but our hope is there and we have everything needed to win the game and advance,” he further noted. Currently, Ivoire Olympique sit fourth in Group A table with 28 points, 13 points behind table leaders Etoile de l’Est and two points behind the second and third placed team AS Muhanga and Vision. They face pressure from fifth-place La Jeunesse FC who are just two pints behind. Any slip would coast Ivoire a top four finish if La Jeunesse manage to win their last regular season game against Etoile de l’Est at Mumena stadium on Saturday, March 25. Either Friday and Saturday’s fixtures will who, between Ivoire Olympique and La Jeunesse, will join Group A’s Etoile de l’Est, AS Muhanga and Vision FC in the playoffs while Amagaju, Nyanza FC, Gicumbi FC, Intare FCalso qualified from Group B. Group A Table (Big Six) 1. Etoile de l’Est — 41 points 2. AS Muhanga — 30 points 3. Vision FC — 30 points 4. Ivoire Olympique — 28 points 5. La Jeunesse — 26 points 6. Kirehe FC — 24 points
