Defending champions APR Football Club overcame stubborn Kirehe Football Club defeating them 2-1 in the Azam Rwanda Premier League match staged on Wednesday at Stade de Kigali to close the gap on table leaders and archrivals Rayon Sport.
Wednesday
APR 2-1 Kirehe
Defending champions APR Football Club overcame stubborn Kirehe Football Club defeating them 2-1 in the Azam Rwanda Premier League match staged on Wednesday at Stade de Kigali to close the gap on table leaders and archrivals Rayon Sport.
Newly appointed head coach maintained a perfect start of his professional tenure registering two wins in his first two games after humbling Etincelles last week also by 2-1 in his first game.
Despite the game starting with both sides displaying a non-offensive football, the military side broke the deadlock early in the seventh minute following their first attack courtesy of Janvier Benedata who from the box curled a beautiful ball from Djiad Bizimana’s pass into the back of the net to take APR into the lead.
Despite conceding an early goal Hamiss ‘Kishi’ Sogonya’ Kirehe seemed more confident on the pitch and created more chances that saw striker Jean Uwimbabazi missing an open chance to equalize in the 20th minute after making a breakaway from APR defense, however goalie Steven Ntaribi deviated his ball into the corner.
Kirehe continued to pile more pressure on APR with striker Ismi Kagabo testing Ntaribi with powerful long ranges in the 35th minute from the left wing, however golie Ntaribi was again good enough to deviate the ball into the corner.
APR made the come back into the last ten minutes into the first half break which later paid off in the 39th minute Faustin Usengimana doubling the lead through a header from Yannick Mukunzi’s cross hence going into the first half leading 2-0.
Kirehe bagan the second half very aggressive attacking which actually paid off in the 48 minute through Ibraham Ndikumasaba scoring their consolation after an excellent footwork in APR’s box.
The goal acted as a wakeup call for APR that took control of the game again which saw Issa Bigirimana’s two long ranges hitting the woodwork in the 50th and 51st minutes respectively however the game ended with no team finding the back of the net again.
The win took APR Fc to second spot where they jointly share 14 points with Police Fc who dropped to third spot following a difference in goals scored. APR Fc still has a game in hand against Pepiniere Fc which will be played on December 14.
Kirehe Fc remained ranked seventh with 11 points in seven matches. Rayon Sports leads the standings with 19 points in seven matches played this season.