National league side AS Muhanga is eyeing this year’s Peace Cup against Malaria competition after booking a semi final place in style on Wednesday.The Southern Province club booked their place in the last four for the first time in their history after surviving a first leg scare to defeat Mukura Victory Sport 3-0 in the second leg of the quarter final against Mukura.Head coach Ali Bizimungu told Times Sport that he hopes to not only reach the final but also go on to win the title, the first major silverware for the side only promoted to the top flight division this season.“We are extremely happy to be in the semifinal of the Peace Cup, but we’re not done yet because our target is to go all the way to the final and win the title,” stated the former Rayon Sport coach.“I have a good team which is playing good football too, and I believe nothing will stop us from realising our dream,” he added.Enroute to the quarter final, AS Muhanga eliminated last year’s runner-ups Police in a penalty shoot-out. In the quarter final first leg, they lost 0-1 to Mukura in Huye but came back to win 3-0 in the second leg courtesy of strikes from Uganda-born striker Mike Oduuke and a double from Nasser Irakoze.The win means Muhanga will take on second division high flyers Bugesera, who eliminated fellow second Div rivals Vision FC 2-1 on Tuesday to qualify for the semi final 5-3 on goals aggregate.The first semi final will be between the defending champion APR and AS Kigali. APR were forced to a goalless draw by relegation battling side Isonga but still managed to qualify thanks to their first leg’s 2-1 win.AS Kigali cruised into the semi finals after a 3-1 win over Musanze on Tuesday. Skipper Jimmy Mbaraga scored a brace, while Muhamud Kabula added the other. Former APR winger Bebeto Lwamba scored the consolation goal for Musanze.The country’s oldest competition is sponsored by Imbuto Foundation to a tune of Rwf97m. The winner will represent Rwanda in the 2014 Caf Confederation Cup.
