Semi-finals: First leg
Espoir vs APR FC
Rayon Sports vs AS Kigali
Rayon Sports head coach Djuma Masudi has urged his players to perform like they are playing the final when the Blues face AS Kigali in the first leg of their Peace Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday at Kigali Regional Stadium.
The other semi-final will feature Espoir FC and APR FC in the first leg in Rusizi on the same day. The return matches will be played on July 1, all at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo. The winners will proceed to the final which will be played on June 4.
Former Rayon Sports captain, Masudi, who took over as interim head coach in early March, replacing Belgian Ivan Jacky Minnaert, is eager to win the Peace Cup to get the opportunity of playing in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
“Rayon Sports is a club that needs to be playing in CAF competitions every season, so we need to reach the final to have that chance,” Masudi told Times Sport after Saturday’s 4-1 quarter-final win against Amagaju FC.
The ex-Burundi international forward added, “The semi-final against AS Kigali is one of our biggest games of the season. We have to play like it’s the final because we know that AS Kigali is a strong team and they are one of our toughest.”
“We have to be ready against them, they are a strong side, but we have to build our game to counter theirs and make sure that we win,” he further noted.
Rayon Sports, chasing a first Peace Cup triumph since 2005, thrashed Gicumbi FC 4-1 in the quarter-final on Saturday evening at Kigali Regional Stadium. Malian Ismailia Diarra scored the opening goal before defender Thierry Manzi doubled the lead before half time.
Ugandan Davis Kasirye netted the third goal in the second half while Djaber Manishimwe made it 4-0 with a superb strike while striker Rachid Mutebi scored the consolation goal for Gicumbi FC.
Earlier in the day, APR FC edged SC Kiyovu 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant 90th minute strike from substitute Patrick Sibomana.
The win for the APR FC saw them set-up a semi-final clash against Espoir, who edged AS Muhanga FC 3-0 in the quarter-final match.
