SaturdayPepiniere 1-2 Mukura VSEtincelles 3-2 Gicumbi FCBugesera FC 3-0 SC Kiyovu

FridayRayon Sports 3-0 Police FC

Bugesera FC head coach Vincent Mashami expressed his delight after his team secured its first win of the season with a resounding 3-0 win over SC Kiyovu in their opening match of the 2016/17 national football league on Saturday at Nyamata ground.

Former APR striker Farouk Ruhinda opened the scoring for the Eastern Province-based side after just four minutes while Djihad Rucogoza, who came off the bench to replace Bertrand Iradukunda added a second half brace in the 75th and 85thminute respectively.

It was a terrible start to the season for Alloys Kanamugire’s Kiyovu, who have struggled to strengthen their squad with any quality new signings because of the club’s tight financial standing.

"I am delighted not only with the result but the overall performance of my players because they played well and controlled the game from start to end, which is exactly what we wanted. It is very important to start the season with a win,” Mashami said after the game.

He added, "We have shown strong character to win against a big teams like Kiyovu, when you beat the big teams, it brings more confidence in the players.”

After his appointment, Mashami was given the task to finish in the top six in the league, but despite a comfortable win on match-day one, he knows his team will have to improve mainly on their away record.

Last season, Bugesera FC, under Ali Bizimungu as head coach, managed just a solitary win away from their Nyamata ground.

SC Kiyovu’s Kanamugire admitted that, "We have a long way to go, today’s match has showed me what we need to work on. We’re a young side and I believe we will improve. It is a big disappointment to lose but we have to accept it and look forward for the next fixtures.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Etincelles beat 10-man Gicumbi FC 3-2 at Umuganda Stadium, thanks to Gintil Kambale Salite’s brace in the 33rd and 45th minute as well as Ibrahim Niyonsenga’s goal in the 37th minute.

Defender Egide Rutayisire and Irene Dushimiyimana scored for the visitors in the 48th and 72nd minute respectively. Gicumbi’s Rachid Mutebi was the first player to be sent off in the new season after receiving a second yellow card.

At Ruyenzi ground, newly promoted Pepiniere FC lost to Mukura Victory Sports 2-1. Joseph Lubega scored for Jean Baptsite Kayiranga’s home team before Godfroid Okoko’s side recovered to win the game through goal from Ally Niyonzima and Kevin Hakizimana.

In the opening game of the season on Friday, Rayon Sports ensured a bright start to their quest for the 2016/17 league title after thumping rivals Police FC 3-0 at Kigali Regional Stadium.

The 2013 league champions got their goals though last season’s Player of the Year, Pierrot Kwizera and Burundian new signing Shassir Nahimana, who netted a second half brace to round off a comfortable evening for Djuma Masudi’s team.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw