The National League action carries on this Easter weekend, with reigning champions APR FC taking on Sunrise FC away in Nyagatare to try and narrow the gap between the rivals Rayon Sports FC who are away in Nigeria for the CAF Champions league.
By the rugged nature of their performance in the last ten fixtures, a defeat for the army side or a draw will mean the title is for Rayon to lose this season.
Coach Jimmy Mulisa who is away of the 11 point gap has admitted that they have to win all three points against a stubborn Sunrise and close the gap.
“Rayon’s lead over APR is currently eleven points that means any mistake means they lead with a game in hand which could mean the odds of winning the league is in their favour. So we have to win all the remaining games to keep on the chase” Mulisa said.
Third placed Police FC will host bottom side Pepiniere FC, a win for the law enforcers will raise their point tally to 46 reducing the point gap at top to 9 as they look forward to replace APR which is one point ahead of them.
On the other hand, Pepiniere FC head Coach Jean Irene Umuhoza who has improved his side performance in the last two games, is also eager to fight back in order to avoid a relegation. Pepiniere has 12 points in 22 games played. They have 2 wins, six draws and 14 defeats.
AS Kigali vs Musanze FC
Coach Eric Nshimiyimana and his Kigali sponsored side have turned things around; apparently they are equal on 43 points with 3rd place Police but with a one goal difference. Nshimiyimana is looking at heavens for inspiration credit while away at Musanze this Saturday.
Victory will mean AS Kigali register 14 wins this season, though a defeat would be the sixth this season which is unbearable for a team that has not light the league title in the decade and having seen them finish fourth last season with only 16 wins in 30 fixtures.
Musanze is behind AS Kigali in the fifth position; this is a “must-not-lose” game rather than a “must-win” for Coach Sosthene Habimana. They are 7 points behind AS Kigali. In their last three games they won 3 and drew once, AS Kigali won the first league 2-0.
Espoir Fc vs Kirehe Fc
The other game that will be played on Match Day 23 is that of Espoir hosting Kirehe fc at Rusizi football ground. Espoir is seventh on the table with 27 points out of 6 wins and 8 draws. Kirehe meanwhile is placed 11th with two points behind Espoir.
A win for the newly promoted side Kirehe will close the two point gap for head coach Kirehe FC head coach Hamis ‘Kishi’ Sogonya who is targeting to stay in the topflight at the end of this season. Kirehe lost the first leg 1-0.
Action will yet again resume on Sunday April 16 with three games to be played on Match Day 23. Strugglers SC Kiyovu will take on Etincelles FC at Mumena stadium.
In their last fixture ahead of the commemoration break, Kiyovu drew goalless away to bottom side Pepiniere fc in their last fixture at Ruyenzi stadium.
The drew is the seventh this season in all the games played including the two against Mukura that ended 1-all and the 2-all with Gicumbi . Now with ten losses and just five victories, the Kigali based side dropped to 13th position, 4th from the bottom of the table with just eight games left this season.
Mukura VS vs Marines Fc
While Pepiniere fc will be clashing with Police, Marines will be locking horns with Mukura to avoid relegation drop,
They were the surprise package of last season when the finished third in the season, but Huye based have so far suffered nine defeats which means the hapless Huye based side should fight the relegation dip. In fact, newspaper reports suggest that there is unhappiness within the squad.
Head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert who vowed to turn things around after signing a six month short term deal in November last year is not finding it easy. This week, the Belgian sacked Burundian player Ngama Emmanuel from the team alleging he lacks disciplines.
Marines Fc are in a nerve-shredding situation but they can avoid relegation, Sunday is another pivotal day. By the end of the weekend, the Marines will be hoping the table looks more favorable for them. Mukura have a ground advantage, in the first leg they defeated Marines 2-1.
This weekend will be another pivotal day at the foot of the table, as Marines takes on Mukura, Kiyovu fighting to beat Etincelles another bottom side Gicumbi will have same time to plan and strategize since their fixture against table leaders Rayon is postponed by local football organizers FERWAFA till further notice because Rayon is away in Nigeria.
