PNL: Five things we learnt from the weekend action
Monday, October 23, 2023
Hat trick scorer Heritier Luvumbu with teammates celebrate the goal as they beat Sunrise FC 3-0 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday. Photo by Christianne Murengerantwari

The Primus National League produced a total of 17 goals including a hat trick from Rayon Sports midfielder Heritier Luvumbu.

APR FC, Gorilla FC and Gasogi United were the only clubs which picked wins in away from home while Musanze slipped in 1-1 draw against Etoile de L’Est in Ngoma.

Times Sport highlights five things we learnt from the weekend games.

Gorilla strips Amagaju off their terror

Newly-promoted Amagaju FC's fairytale start to the topflight league season came to an end on Sunday, October 22, as a Cedric Mavugo's 15th minute goal for Gorilla FC handed them their first defeat of the season.

Amagaju had gone seven games without a loss and in that run, they had some impressive results which include a draw Rayon Sports, AS Kigali and Kiyovu Sports on top of a victory over Gasogi United at Kigali Pele Stadium.

The game also had a unique significance on the part of Mousa Gatera’s Gorilla FC side which registered their first win of the season after drawing six times in seven games.

ALSO READ: In form Mbaoma hits brace as APR thrash 10-man Etincelles

Luvumbu's hat trick against Sunrise

The Congolese offensive midfielder was in his elements at the Kigali Pele Stadium when he netted a hat trick against Sunrise FC on Saturday.

The three goals included a long range thunderbolt which could easily contest for the goal of the season award.

Photos: Luvumbu bags hat-trick as Rayon cruise past Sunrise

It was the DR Congo international’s first hat trick I the Blues shirt. He also became the first place to three goal in one match since the league campaign started in August.

Luvumbu would have taken pride in that performance as a big morale booster ahead of league derby against APR FC scheduled Sunday, October 29, at Kigali Pele Stadium. However, he risks missing the clash after picking his third yellow card on Saturday which could see him suspended from playing the next game, which is either Police or APR.

With Police game looking unlikely in midweek, the Congolese could watch the derby from the stands.

Hassan Muhire becomes second coaching casualty

Sunrise FC in June signed Hassan Muhire as their new head coach, taking over from Innocent Seninga.

However, it took the club just four months to sack him in a decision announced on Monday evening, October 23, following a string of poor results.

Under the former football pundit, Sunrise won only two and lost five in their last seven league games. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Rayon Sports decided his fate at the club.

Muhire becomes the second coach sacked this season after Zelfani Yamen parted ways with Rayon Sports in early October after the club management was not impressed by his performance, especially when he failed to knock Libyan side Al Ahly Benghazi out of the CAF Confederation Cup despite playing both games in Kigali.

The club has Yafesi Mubiru and Robert Mukoghotya who finished second and third in the Primus National League top scoring charts but their partnership filed to tick under Muhire.

Muhazi United picking up the pieces

After their slow start to the 2023/24 league season, Muhazi United are now getting back on track.

They have not looked back since that impressive second half performance against Police FC in match day 6. Muhazi United dominated that encounter despite losing 2-1

The Rwamagana-based club have improved drastically as they collected four points from the last two matches including a 1-0 over Etoile de l'Est on October 21 before holding league leaders Musanze to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

With their performance recently, it is clear that Emmanuel Ruremesha’s side will only get better as the season progresses.

Mbaoma's goal scoring form continues

The Nigerian striker has scored six goals so far this season with five of them coming in his last four games, including a brace against Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium on Sunday, October 22 as his team cruised to a 3-0 win.

He now trails Peter Agblevor who has seven goals to his name but the former has played less games.

Mbaoma 's biggest test will be on Sunday, October 29, when APR face arch rivals Rayon Sports. He will need to prove his worth as a man of big occasions if he is to establish himself among the most feared strikers in the Prius National League.