Bitter rivals lock horns in Primus league

PNFL, TodayAS Kigali vs La JeunesseRayon Sports vs SC KiyovuSundayAPR vs AmagajuMarines vs EspoirMukura vs NyanzaAfter last weekend’s win over Espoir which brought them back in hunt for the Primus league title, cash-stripped Rayon Sports face an acid test against bitter rivals Kiyovu this afternoon at Amahoro stadium.Rayon, third (37), lead fourth-placed Kiyovu (32) by five points and their win over relegation threatened Espoir last weekend means that there are four teams seriously competing for the Primus National Football league title.Coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira said that his team is ready though they have spent days trying to solve the problems involving the players’ unpaid salaries. “The players have agreed to play and get their salaries after tomorrow’s (today) game.”“Apart from the money issues, mood in the camp is positive and the most important thing is to win and keep ourselves in the race for the title,” added the former APR, Atraco and Kiyovu coach.However, Ntagwabira will be without the suspended veteran defender Hamad Ndikumana and Tumaine Ntamuhanga, who is with the U-20 national team in Namibia.As for SC Kiyovu, apart from central defender Patrick Umwungeri, who is also with the Junior Wasps away in Namibia, head coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga has a full squad to pick from. however, Kiyovu will have their hands full in what is traditionally the biggest game of the season for both teams because of their longstanding rivalry history.Elsewhere on Saturday, AS Kigali, will be hoping to increase their chances of escaping the relegation zone when they host fellow strugglers La Jeunesse at the Kigali regional stadium in Nyamirambo. Meanwhile, defending champions APR, who have played two games less than league table leaders Police FC, host Amagaju in one of three matches scheduled for Sunday.Police lead the standings with 44 points but their would be this weekend’s match against the youthful Isonga has been postponed to next Wednesday due to the U-20 team’s involvement in 2013 African Youth Championships qualifier with Namibia today.