Reigning national football league champions APR eliminated arch-rivals Rayon Sports 3-0 to reach for the final of the AS Kigali pre-season tournament, yesterday.

APR FC started the game with intent and scored their first goal through Patrick Sibomana after just eight minutes at Amahoro National Stadium.

Michel Rusheshangoga provided the assist.

Their second goal was came on the 13th minute after Issa Bigirimana was left with only the Rayon Sports goalkeeper, Eric  ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye  to beat.

At 22 minutes, it would have been 3-0 after a Muhadjili Hakizimana corner found Herve Rugwiro alone in the box only for his effort to hit the woodwork.

The military side continued to pile pressure on Djuma Masudi’s team, dominating possession and creating chances upfront through Andrew Buteera, Sekamana, Sibomana and Muhadjir.

 Rayon Sports tried to pull at least one back but the APR defence was largely alert while strikers Moussa Camara, Pierrot Kwizera and  Shassir Niyonkuru came close but failed to beat APR goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure.

The second half started on a high, with Rayon surging forward while APR threatened through counter attacks.

APR got their third goal in the 83rd minute  after a poor back pass by Thiery Manzi to his goalkeeper was picked up by Maxime Sekamana who went ahead to shatter all the hopes Rayon Sports had of getting back into the game.

APR FC will now meet DR Congo giants AS Vita Club in the final of the AS Kigali pre-season tournament on Saturday.

AS Vita Club booked their place in the final after beating SC Kiyovu 1-0.

Amavubi and former AS Kigali forward Ernest Sugira scored the lone goal of the match on the 24th minute.

The AS Kigali pre-season tournament brought together five local clubs; APR, Rayon Sports, AS Kigali, Police FC and SC Kiyovu, and three Congolese teams, namely AS Vita Club, Sanga Balende and Dauphin Noir.

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