Police eyes maiden trophy

Primus leaguePlaying todayPolice vs AS KigaliPlaying on SundayLa Jeunesse vs EtincellesMarines vs AmagajuRayon Sports vs NyanzaIsonga vs EspoirPolice FC are getting ever closer to their maiden league title and head coach Goran Kuponovic is starting to smell it as he guides his team through the last five league matches of the season.The law and order enforcers’ side are seeking their first silverware since it’s formation in 2004, and Kuponovic wants to be part of the club’s history by becoming the first coach to lead them to their maiden trophy. “I am happy with my team and my staff who have done extremely well since I joined this club, but we need to stay calm as we haven’t won anything yet. There are still five matches to play and so much to fight for,” the Serb told Times Sport.He added, “When I came here, I did not promise that I was going to win the league, but I did promise to do a good job, build the best team possible that can challenge for trophies and nothing has changed.”This year, Police has been doing well and have won the big games, where they beat APR 3-2, beat Kiyovu 2-1, and drew with Rayon Sports 2-2.FavouritesAfter being tipped to win the league title for the first time this year, Police will be looking for a routine win against AS Kigali to consolidate their lead at the top of the league with just four games to go.Kiyovu coach, Baptiste Kayiranga, one of the most respected coaches in the country told this paper that the law enforcers are “on course to win the league” echoing the same opinions as many football pundits in the country.After Saturday’s match, Police will have played two matches more than second place Mukura, who are not in action this weekend and three more than APR and Rayon. Police has a six point cushion over Mukura and seven (points) above APR. Kuponovic’s side win their remaining matches against AS Kigali, Isonga, Espoir, Marines and Mukura, then they will become the 4th club after APR, Rayon and now defunct Atraco to win the league.Despite such statistics in favor of his side, Kopunovic is not about to celebrate yet, though he concedes that his team is now getting ever closer to the title.“Until it is mathematically right that we have won the league, we will not be sure of anything. But there is a sense of triumph in the team, the players are certainly smelling the title,” Kopunovic said after training yesterday.On Sunday, Rayon hosts Nyanza at Amahoro stadium and coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira is aware that nothing but a win will keep his side in the title race.The blues who haven’t won silverware for 7 years are 10 points adrift of Police albeit with two games in hand.