Muhazi United put up a spirited performance to earn a point against league leaders APR FC after the pair played out a 1-1 draw at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, March 31.
The Primus National League week 25 encounter saw APR head coach Thierry Froger handing Gilbert Mugisha a starting berth while Ramadhan Niyibizi settled for a place on the bench.
February player of the month Sharaf Eldin Shaiboub also didn&039;t make the match day as Victor Mbaoma led the attack.
Muhazi United were without Onesme Twizerimana as Liam Pinga remained the lone ranger upfront.
It took close to quarter of an hour for both teams to settle into the game and it was the visitors who looked more purposeful.
Mugisha and Alain Kwitonda Bacca created some good chances for the army side from the wings, but Marcel Dikoume was at his best between the posts as he put the brakes on Mbaoma to deny him from scoring the opener in the 30th minute.
Emmanuel Ruremesha’s side took control of the midfield with Joseph Sackey being the engine of the team as he won most of the balls and started their attacking play.
After half time, it was still Muhazi in the driving seat as they broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through a decent effort from right back Obed Uwumukiza.
APR got their acts together and started pushing more men forward. They took control of the game briefly and netted in the 70th minute through Victor Mbaoma. It was the striker's first goal in the second round of the league.
Muhazi were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute following a red card to Richard Ndayishimiye for a second bookable offense but they held on to earn a deserved point.
The result delayed APR FC’s title party despite leading the title race by 11 points.
Other games
Sunrise FC lost 2-0 to AS Kigali at Nyagatare Stadium. Erisa Keith Ssekisambu opened the scoring for the citizens in the 19th minute before Aimee Ntirushanwa added the second.
At the Nyamata Stadium, Elijah Ani scored a brace including a 90th minute equalizer as Bugesera FC settled for a 2-2 draw with Etincelles.