PNL: Fairytale goals, controversial refereeing lead weekend football headlines
Monday, November 06, 2023
Rayon Sports captain vies for the ball with Mukura VS players. On Saturday, November 4, Ishimwe could have shown a red card to Rayon Sports defender Abdul Rwatubyaye. Igihe.

It was an entertaining weekend of Rwanda Primus National League which left 18 goals scored across eight matches, with some stunning strikes that could certainly contend for the goal of the season prize.

While Sunrise FC and APR were the only teams to win away from home, some referees were also at thequestionable referee decisions which affected outcome of some of the matches.

Times Sport takes a look at six things we learnt from week 10 of the Primus National League.

Casa Mbungo's AS Kigali in free fall

AS Kigali are failing to get their acts together this season as they are now struggling around the drop zone.

They last won a league match on October 11, which was a 1-0 win over Marines FC, but they have since gone four games without a win, picking just one point out of a possible 12.

It is a burden that under pressure coach Andre Casa Mbungo is gradually struggling to carry. He has to win their next match against APR or a different result could see him shown an exit door.

ALSO READ: Rayon thrash Mukura as Kwitonda's winner sinks Muhazi United

-Controversial refereeing marring the game

The likes of Ruzindana Nsoro, Samuel Uwikunda have been on the spot over controversial refereeing decisions in which they were involved during their weekend duties.

On Saturday, November 4, Ishimwe could have shown a red card to Rayon Sports defender Abdul Rwatubyaye who was the last defender behind Mukura forward Mohammed Sylla when he brought him down preventing him to score a goal for the visitors.

Per FIFA rules, it had to be a straight red card but the referee only booked the Blues skipper with a yellow card, a decision against which Mukura protested in vain.

More controversy unfolded during the same match when Uwikunda awarded Rayon a penalty after Ojera under no pressure from Jean Marie Muvandimwe dived.

Mukura may have been suffered a 4-1 humiliation but controversial refereeing remains the main talk of the game.

A weekend of fairytale goals

Mukura wonderkid Elie Tatou Iradukunda’s screamer against Rayon Sports and Bienvenue Mugenzi’s overhead kick goal against Gorilla FC have undoubtedly earned them a callup in the national team while Heritier Luvumbu’s Panenka against Mukura continues to make headlines.

If Iradukunda were a European or a South American, he would be making headlines in various top media houses across the globe following his spectacular strike against Rayon Sports on Saturday.

The 17-year-old winger is undoubtedly a huge prospect who has a great future ahead of him.

His goal has been likened to Sulley Muntari’s ferocious left footed volley during Ghana’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Uruguay in South Africa in 2010.

Elie Tatou’s goal against Rayon is absolutely a goal of the season contender but it already faces competition from Bienvenue Mugenzi’s goal against Gorilla.

-Musanze showing no signs of slowing down

If people thought Musanze FC occupying the top spot in the league was just a fluke, then they must be revising their notes now as the Northern Province club is increasingly getting serious in the business.

Musanze FC have been superb this season under coach Sostene Habimana and they have no plans of slowing down as they keep churning out good results game after game.

Even without their talisman Peter Agblevor, who was serving his one-match suspension following his sending off for a challenge on AS Kigali goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi, they still defeated Kiyovu Sports 1-0 courtesy of Mohammed Sulley’s lone strike.

ALSO READ: Mubiru-hits late winner as Sunrise FC stun AS Kigali

Musanze have been at the top of their form and they could only get better as the players continue to enjoy life under Habimana and his assistant Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza.

-APR's unbeaten run intact

APR remains the only unbeaten team in the league this season.

They have survived scary moments this season to get the needed results including games against Mukura Victory Sports. The latest masterpiece was at Ngoma Stadium last Saturday when they came from behind to beat Muhazi United 2-1 thanks to Alain Kwitonda Bacca’s match winner in the 75th minute.

Thierry Froger’s side has shown resilience and their consistency has been key in maintaining their unbeaten run which would not surprise anyone who has previously seen them going 50 matches unbeaten two years ago.

Mashami's Police FC remain unstoppable

After that 1-0 defeat to Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium on September 17, Police FC have won five straight games without a defeat, picking 15 points in the process.

Mashami has on a number of occasions been a slow starter but once he gains momentum, he is unbeatable and he is now clearly in the best days to prove it.

Police FC have climbed to 3rd position on the league log with 19 points from the nine games so far this season and they look like real title contenders. They beat a Gorilla FC side which is known for frustrating the big teams to extend their winning streak to five games in a row.

Police FC are certainly even going to get better as the season progresses and you better not write them off from the title.