Rivals clash in MTN Peace Cup

TodayMukura vs AS KigaliTomorrowMarines vs Police APR vs SECKiyovu vs Rayon TRADITIONAL rivals SC Kiyovu and Rayon Sports are set to clash in the quarterfinal first leg of the this year’s MTN Peace Cup on Thursday at Amahoro stadium.There is no love lost between the two rivals and with the MTN Peace Cup competition the only hope for either team to win silverware in what has been a disappointing season for both, tomorrow’s game promises to be a thrilling contested for the fans to enjoy.Rayon Sports coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira has had little time to prepare his team because of his involvement with the national team where he is the assistant coach, while his opposite number Jean Baptiste Kayiranga has had plenty of it (time) to get ready for what is always a closely contest fixture.There are reports that Rayon players have refused to turn up for training, demanding to be paid their salary arrears and bonuses for the last month of the just concluded Primus National Football League season.A concerned Ntagwabira admitted, “I think such issues could jeopardize our chances of getting a good result against Kiyovu whom I hear have spent three days in residential training.” Efforts to talk to Kiyovu coach Kayiranga were futile as he failed to return calls by press time.Both sides drew 1-1 in the first round of the Primus league and Kiyovu saw off the Blues with a 1-0 victory in the second round.Elsewhere tomorrow, Police face Marines, a side that denied them the league title when they won 1-0 in Rubavu on May 12 to effectively hand the title to APR.However, Police Coach Goran Kopunovic is optimistic his team is extra motivated to not only to beat Marines but also go all the way to the title. “This is a different competition and I respect Marines, but we are ready for the contest. It will be a hard game but I am confident we will win. Our aim is to go all the way,” said Kopunovic.On paper, defending champions APR have the easiest quarterfinal fixture against second division side SEC academy, a game that will be precede Kiyovu vs Rayon clash at Amahoro stadium, while Mukura host AS Kigali at Kamena stadium tis afternoon.The second leg matches will be played on June 23 with aggregate winners progressing to the semifinals whose first leg fixtures will be played on June 27-28 and the return leg on June 30-July 1.MTN Rwanda has sponsored the Peace Cup since 2008. The Peace Cup values are also synonymous with government’s vision to promote reconciliation among Rwandans. The final of the competition will be played on July 4 at Amahoro stadium.