Tuesday, Could 26 fixtures
15:00: Gorilla FC vs Etincelles FC
18:30: Rayon Sports activities vs Bugesera FC
Venue: Kigali Pele Stadium
Francis Haringingo and his Rayon Sports activities facet shall be determined to place their Peace Cup last heartbreak behind them as they proceed the combat for a spot in subsequent season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
The Blues missed the prospect to qualify mechanically for the continental competitors after shedding to APR FC within the Peace Cup last over the weekend.
Rayon should now win their remaining two BK Professional League matches in opposition to Bugesera FC and Kiyovu SC to safe qualification.
Rayon Sports activities will host Bugesera FC at Kigali Pele Stadium on Tuesday earlier than concluding their season on Friday, Could 29, in opposition to rivals Kiyovu SC, who’re additionally battling for continental soccer.
Rayon presently sit fourth on the desk with 52 factors from 32 matches, stage with fifth-placed Kiyovu, who’ve performed one recreation extra.
Stress is mounting on Haringingo, with a second-place end now representing Rayon’s solely reasonable path to the CAF Confederation Cup.
“A loss in a cup last can both break a crew or sharpen it,” Haringingo mentioned after Saturday’s defeat.
“For us, this match is about mentality — responding positively and proving we will nonetheless compete on the highest stage.”
Forward of the essential conflict in opposition to Bugesera, the Burundian tactician additionally warned his gamers in opposition to complacency.
“Bugesera are disciplined and unpredictable,” he mentioned.
“They don’t desperately want the factors, which permits them to play freely — and that’s usually when groups are most harmful.”
Etincelles battle for survival
On the different finish of the desk, Etincelles FC face Gorilla FC in a match that would outline their season.
The Rubavu-based facet sit sixteenth with 31 factors, simply above the relegation zone, and may not afford errors.
“We all know what’s at stake. We should combat for our lives,” mentioned Etincelles coach Abdu Beken Bizimana.
Victory over Twelfth-placed Gorilla FC would elevate Etincelles to 14th place forward of AS Kigali and Amagaju FC, who presently occupy fifteenth and 14th positions respectively.
Nevertheless, Bizimana faces a troublesome activity in opposition to a Gorilla facet that thrashed Etincelles 6-1 within the Peace Cup third-place playoff on Friday. Gorilla FC, presently Twelfth with 37 factors, are additionally looking for a minimum of some extent to ease lingering relegation fears.
“For us, this match is about ending the job early,” mentioned Gorilla FC coach Alain Kirasa.
“A win right here creates respiratory house and removes any late-season stress.”
What’s at stake?
With continental qualification battles on the prime of the desk and relegation fears on the backside, Tuesday’s fixtures spotlight the rising drama within the BK Professional League run-in.
Within the race for the Confederation Cup spot, Rayon Sports activities and Kiyovu SC are stage on 52 factors. Kiyovu boast a superior aim distinction of 13 in comparison with Rayon’s 8, however Rayon presently maintain the benefit on head-to-head file after profitable the primary assembly 2-0 forward of Friday’s decisive return fixture.
A victory over Bugesera FC on Tuesday would depart Rayon needing solely a draw in opposition to Kiyovu — or avoiding defeat by greater than three objectives — to safe second place.
Within the relegation battle, Mukura VS await Amagaju FC within the last match of the marketing campaign, with a single level sufficient to ensure Amagaju’s survival.
In the meantime, lower-ranked sides will doubtless want victories to remain up. If Etincelles, AS Kigali and Amagaju all win their remaining matches, each AS Muhanga and Rutsiro FC could be relegated.
AS Kigali might additionally face relegation in the event that they lose to Musanze FC and each Rutsiro FC and Etincelles win their respective fixtures.
High of Type
Backside of Type
Race for CAF Confederation Cup ticket
4. Rayon Sports activities 52 (-1)
5. Kiyovu SC 52
Relegation battle
14. Amagaju (34 pts)
15. AS Kigali (32 pts)
16. Etincelles (31 pts)
17. Muhanga (31 pts)
18. Rutsiro (29 pts)
