Espoir, Rayon Sports lock horns in Rusizi

TKFL FIXTURESTodayEspoir vs Rayon Sports 3:30pmAS Muhanga vs Amagaju Marine vs SC Kiyovu Mukura vs APR Gicumbi vs AS Kigali Esperance vs Musanze Police vs Etincelles Defending champions Rayon Sports will be eager to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Police with a tricky away test against high-flying Espoir in the Turbo King Football League today in Rusizi.Recovering from the 2-1 loss against Police on Saturday, their first defeat of the season, Rayon coach Didier da Rosa Gomes said yesterday that his team will be out to make amends against Emmanuel Ruremesha’s early season surprise package.“We have to play a smart game if we are to get all three points against unbeaten Espoir team this season,” the Frenchman told Times Sport.He said, “Espoir have made a perfect start and I expect them to take the game to us in-front of their fans and so we’ll need to be able to contain whatever is thrown at us. The strategy will be to take the game to them.”Without striker Kambale Salita, who went AWOL and is reported to be playing for DR Congo’s AS Vita club, Gomes, whose team stand in fifth position with 10 points, two behind leaders AS Kigali, and a further one point adrift of today’s opponents, will rely on last season’s top scorer Amiss Cedric and new signings Meddie Kagere and Samson Jakeshi in search for goals.However, the Nyanza-based club should expect a tough outing against a side, which is led by former Amavubi striker Saidi Abedi Makasi.Espoir shocked Rayon Sports 3-2 in the league second round last season.Ruremesha stated that his club’s ambition has always been to maintain perfect record at home and hope for any result away.“We are facing defending champions, who should not be taken lightly but winning this game remains our top priority. We have had fairly good performances both at home and away and we hope to maintain a perfect home record,” said the former Rayon coach.Rayon Sports will be without central defender Hussein Sibomana, who is suspended.Elsewhere, third-placed APR will have their hands full when they visit sixth-placed Mukura at Kamena stadium. Both sides are separated by just a single point.Mukura coach Cedric Kaze is optimistic about the home team’s chances of snatching maximum points against the record 13-times Rwandan champions. However, the Burundian tactician will miss two key players; Hussein Cyiza Mugabo and Hamidu Simpenzwe who are on suspension.AS Kigali will be looking to maintain their place at the top of the table when they host lowly Gicumbi at Stade de Kigali at 3:30pm.Jean Baptiste Kayiranga’s Gicumbi, who have faced Rayon, Kiyovu, APR and Police in the first opening fixtures, are currently in the bottom three with two points after five rounds of matches.In Rubavu, visiting SC Kiyovu, who secured their first victory of the season last week against Amagaju face a difficult clash against Marines.Second-placed Musanze travel to Kigali for a date against Esperance at Mumena turf, while Sam Ssimbwa’s side, Police will all be out for maximum points against Etincelles at Stade de Kigali.And there is the bottom of the table clash between 13th-placed AS Muhanga and bottom side Amagaju clash in Muhanga as both sides seek to get themselves out of trouble.