AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana has admitted that his side’s win against Bugesera FC at Nyamata ground on Saturday is their motivation to keep dreaming about winning a first league title for the City of Kigali-sponsored club.
AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana has admitted that his side’s win against Bugesera FC at Nyamata ground on Saturday is their motivation to keep dreaming about winning a first league title for the City of Kigali-sponsored club.
AS Kigali won the game 1-0 courtesy of new signing Pappy Chimanga in the 81st minute, but they remain in fourth place, on 36 points, level with third-placed Police FC, who were held to a goalless draw at lowly Gicumbi.
The two sides are three points behind second-placed APR FC after the defending champions could only manage a 1-1 draw against sixth-ranked Musanze earlier on Friday, while leaders Rayon Sports were a point further ahead with two games in hand before Sunday’s clash with Marines FC.
"The pitch is very difficult to play on and Bugesera know it very well, that is why they have been unbeaten here since the start of the season, so I am happy with the way we played today but, most importantly, to be able to win here,” Nshimiyimana said after the match.
He noted: "This is probably our best win of the season in terms of importance but we will continue to try to win more games and keep pressure on the top teams. The title race is still wide open, and we are looking forward to a good run-in between now and end of the season.”
After losing at home for the first time this season, Bugesera FC remain in fifth place with 31 points, and their coach Vincent Mashami said that, "We just gave away three points because we dominated the game from the start to finish but the defence committed one mistake and Chimanga punished us.”
"When you give that sort of space to an experienced striker like him, he will punish you but overall I am happy with our performance. We are going to re-organise and prepare for the next fixtures,” added Mashami.
Meanwhile, SC Kiyovu and ten-man Mukura Victory Sports played out a 1-all draw at Kigali Regional Stadium.
Striker Andre Lomami put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute from the spot, with Mukura leveling matters through Kevin Hakizimana in the 43rd minute.
However, Mukura finished the match with ten men after forward Lewis Harerimana was sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence.
SC Kiyovu remain in 11th place with 21 points while Mukura are 13th a point behind.
Elsewhere, Amagaju beat Espoir 1-0, thanks to Shabban Hussein Tchabalala, who netted the lone goal in the 38th minute. The win took Amagaju to the ninth place with 22 points while Espoir remain seventh with 26 points.
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