BYUMBA, Rwanda (Interstat) — Gicumbi FC hosts El Merreikh SC Omdurman on Saturday, May 2, in a National Soccer League matchup that pits a home side trying to regain momentum against an opponent on a strong run.

El Merreikh enters the game at Gicumbi Stadium with a 1-0 win over Bugesera FC on April 26, its fourth victory in the past five contests. The visitors’ only loss in that span came April 18 at Mukura, 1-0. El Merreikh has been stingy defensively, recording four clean sheets in its last six matches, including a 0-0 draw at Rayon Sports on March 16 and a 1-0 win at Police on March 9. The team also earned a 2-1 victory at Al Hilal SC Omdurman on Feb. 17 and a 1-0 result at AS Kigali FC on Feb. 22. Draws at Musanze FC (1-1 on Feb. 13) and at Marine FC (1-1 on Feb. 7) preceded a scoreless tie at APR FC on Jan. 18. El Merreikh also drew Mukura 1-1 on Jan. 11.

Gicumbi is coming off a 2-0 home win over Rutsiro on April 24, following a 2-0 victory against Muhanga on April 18. Those results ended a four-match winless streak that included three losses and a draw. Gicumbi fell 1-0 to Gorilla FC on March 21, then lost 2-1 at home to Police on March 16. The team was routed 5-0 at Al Hilal SC Omdurman on March 3 after draws at Kiyovu Sports (1-1 on Feb. 28), at Etincelles (1-1 on Feb. 21) and at Marine FC (1-1 on Feb. 14). A 1-1 home draw with Amagaju FC on Feb. 8 preceded a 3-0 loss to Musanze FC on Jan. 30. Gicumbi’s last win before the recent back-to-back victories was a 3-2 result at Muhanga on Jan. 9.

In the most recent head-to-head meeting, El Merreikh defeated Gicumbi 1-0 on Dec. 21, 2025, in Omdurman. That result extended El Merreikh’s form in the series; the two teams have not played a match in Byumba since the 2024-25 season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-0 win for El Merreikh, consistent with both teams’ recent defensive trends. Gicumbi has scored 11 goals in its last 11 matches while conceding 14. El Merreikh has allowed just five goals over its last 11 fixtures, with six shutouts.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.