Rayon Sports were trailing 1-0 against Kiyovu SC until defender Eric Ngendahimana headed home an equalizer in the 88th minute to earn his side a point after the pair settled for a 1-1 draw in crunch Rwanda National Primus League week 15 clash held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Tuesday, December 12.
Heritier Luvumbu could even have snatched an injury time winner for Blues only to miss a sitter in the 95th minute to the relief the Mumena-based side.
Coach Muhamed Wade used a 4-3-3 formation against the Green Baggies with Eric Ngendahimana being paired with Abdul Rwatubyaye in the heart of defence while Roger Kanamugire joined Kevin Muhire and Heritier Luvumbu in midfield, replacing Rashid Kalisa who was serving a one-match suspension.
Kiyovu, on the other hand, opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Fred Muhozi behind lone ranger Richard Kilongozi.
It was a nervy start for both teams but Kiyovu calmed the tempo as they took control of the game in early stages.
Kiyovu right back and former Rayon star Karim Nizigiyimana overlapped on the right and delivered a cut back cross to Shariff Bayo who hit a ferocious drive outside the box to fire the visitors ahead in the 12th minute.
The goal awoke the Blues as they quickly regrouped to dominate the game pushing for an equalizer. They started most of their attack from the back where skipper Abdul Rwatubyaye was superb.
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Rayon had the chance to even the scores in the 18th minute but Musa Esenu fluffed his effort wide from the right side of Kiyovu’s vital area.
Muhire, who was pulling the strings in the midfield, was brought down at the edge of the Kiyovu penalty box but the resultant free kick was agonizingly wasted by Heritier Luvumbu in the 30th minute.
Kiyovu were very tactical as they soaked the pressure and occasionally broke loose on counter attacks as they made some vital incursions but Rayon’s back four curtailed the danger.
With five minutes to end the first half, Ali Serumogo moved forward and used Muhire as a decoy before hitting a short which missed the target to the relief of Kiyovu goalkeeper Djihad Nzeyurwanda.
The first half ended with Kiyovu leading 1-0 though Rayon had been a dominant force in terms of ball possession.
The second half begun with Rayon in control as they pinned Kiyovu into their own half. The Blues tried to utilize the pace of Ojera to great effects as they often released the balls to him to cut in. But the Ugandan forward looked far from impressive on the evening as he struggled to make the best of the chances at his disposal.
Rayon’s attackers posed major threats in Kiyovu’s penalty box on numerous occasions but Eric Ndizeye and Felicien Hakizimana had formed a defensive wall that was too tough to break.
With two minutes to end the game, Ngendahimana, who had a fantastic game, popped up with the equalizer in the 88th minute to deny a win for Kiyovu SC.
Kiyovu suffered in the stoppage time as they tried to defend at least a point against a Rayon side which wanted nothing but a win to close the gap to four points between them and league leaders APR FC.
And the fans thought Luvumbu was going to win it late for the Blues before failing to tap in Ojera’s cross in the last minute.
There was not much chances in injury time as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.
Other games
Police FC made mince meat of Musanze FC as they thrashed them 3-0. In form Muhadjiri Hakizimana netted a brace with Abedi Bigirimana adding another as the law enforcer finished the first round of the league in the second place with 31 points.
In Nyamata, Bugesera FC defeated equally struggling Etoile de l’Est 2-0 with Placide Rwabuhihi and Elijah Ani being the goal scorers.
Elsewhere, 10-man Sunrise FC travelled to Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu to hold Marines FC to a 1-1 draw. Sunrise FC opened the scores through Fred Hirwa before Desire Mugisha pulled even for the home side in the second half.
And lastly, at Ngoma Stadium, Muhazi United recorded a goalless draw with AS Kigali.