First win still eludes Mfutila

Police FC held Rayon Sports to a goalless draw in an entertaining National Football League encounter on Tuesday at the Muhanga stadium.

Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Yannick Mukunzi, right, who scored APR's first goal yesterday, listens to his captain Ismael Nshutiyamana during a previous league game.(File)

Today

Gicumbi vs AS Kigali 3pmSC Kiyovu vs Sunrise 3:30pm

Tuesday

Isonga 0-2 APR Rayon Sports 0-0 Police Etincelles 0-0 MukuraMusanze 1-1 AmagajuEspoir 1-0 Marines

Police FC held Rayon Sports to a goalless draw in an entertaining National Football League encounter on Tuesday at the Muhanga stadium.

Mfutila. File

The stalemate ensured a six-game winless streak for the Blues who have not won a league game since November 8 when they defeated Gicumbi 2-0. It means head coach Andy Mfutila is still looking for his first win since he took over in mid November.

Rayon Sports captain Fuadi Ndayisenga and striker Peter Otema came close to finding the back of the net in either half but Police custodian Emery Mvuyekure was at his best between the posts.

Otema,who was facing his former employers for the second time in a month squandered a chance to put Andy Magloire Mfutila’s men in the lead when he had only Mvuyekure to beat and sent his shot inches above the woodwork.

A clinical through pass from Ndayisenga landed on Otema’s right foot but the forward sent the shot wide to further unnerve the anxious fans in attendance who had endured the afternoon downpour to support their teams.

Mfutila’s introduction of striker Isaac Muganza late in the game did not change much as the youngster’s efforts were frustrated by a determined Police defense.

"We did our best to win this game but we were unlucky. We had several chances in front of goal but we failed to execute them to help us win the game,” explained Ndayisenga whose individual brilliance in the midfield stood out on the day.

Andre Cassa Mbungo’s Police team maintain third position on the table standings with 21 points, one ahead of Rayon Sports who have 20 points and have drawn their fourth league encounter since Mfutila took charge in November.

Meanwhile, ten-man APR overcame bottom side Isonga FC 2-0 at the Kigali regional stadium. Yannick Mukunzi opened the scoring in the 49thminute before Issa Bigirimana added a second in the 57th minute.

The military side ended the game with ten men following the sending off of midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza in the 75th minute after a second yellow card.

Ljubomir Petrovic’s side lead the table with 29 points, five ahead of second-placed AS Kigali, who play away to Gicumbi today. In today’s other match, SC Kiyovu hosts Sunrise FC at Mumena stadium in Nyamirambo.

usher.komugisha@newtimes.co.rw