An 89th -minute winner from Burundian defensive midfielder Gerard Ndayogeje was all that Mukura Victory Sports needed to beat Sunrise FC 1-0 and bag three points in a Primus National League clash held at Huye Stadium on Tuesday, October 10.
It was a keenly-contested duel from which Mukura head coach Afahmia Lotfi showed his tactical acumen with three changes before half time which changed the phase of the game.
Both teams started brightly but it was Sunrise FC who looked a more threatening side in the early stages with star striker Robert Mukongotya becoming their main man in attack.
Mukura, however, calmed their nerves and started to come into the picture as Christophe Bukuru bossed the midfield.
The home side was poor on the flanks as they allowed the Sunrise lateral defenders to always overlap into their territory prompting an impatient club coach Lofti to make three substitutions in the 43rd minute with Ghanaian winger Samuel Pimpong, Elia Kategeya and Emmanuel Nsabimana coming in for Zuber Hakizimana (injured), Elie Tatou Iradukunda and Mohammed Sylla respectively.
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The trio changed the game for Mukura who since became very dangerous on the flanks.
Nsabimana was also in a more central role as he tormented the Sunrise centre backs but Sunrise held on till the half time break as neither side managed to find the back of the net.
Mukura started from where they left off in the first half as they piled incessant pressure on the visitors.
Sunrise FC coach Hassan Muhire changed his strategy as he soaked the pressure and try to play on the counter.
Mukura had a counter attack in the 87th minute as Samuel Pimpong with the speed of lightening dribbles past two Sunrise FC players, he found Kategeya who cut inside but the ball was cleared for a corner.
The home side played a shot corner for Kategeya to cross the ball. Ndayogeje then soared high above his marker to head home to make it 1-0 in the 89th minute.
There were no chances in injury time as Mukura held on to the 1-0 lead. Mukura have now won two games this season, drawn three and lost one.