Saturday
APR 2-0 Mukura
NATIONAL football league giants APR were crowned winners of the 2018 Super Cup after defeating Mukura VS 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District.
Muhadjiri Hakizimana and Issa Bigirimana were the goal-scorers for Ljubomir Petrovic’s side as they clinched their first Super Cup for the first time.
One minute after recess, Hakizimana broke the deadlock before Bigirimana doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a fantastic header, thanks to Emmanuel Imanishimwe’s curling cross.
Besides the winners’ trophy, APR were also pocketed Rwf5M in cash prize.
During the first half, full-back Fitina Ombalenga and Hakizimana had two clear chances to give the military side an early lead but were denied by Mukura goalie Omar Rwabugiri.
Hussein Ciza, Onesme Twagizimana and Frank Lomami also had chances to put Mukura in the commanding position but a combination of their wastefulness and alertness of APR goalkeeper, Yves Kimenyi, ensured a clean sheet for the 17-time champions.
While both sides played a balanced game in the first half, APR notably dominated the possession in the second half. Andrew Buteera, Lague Byiringiro and Hakizimana had several opportunities to score more goals but all efforts were kept off by the defence and in-form goalie Rwabugiri.
Mukura largely relied on quick counter-attacks.
The Super Cup clash pitted the Azam Rwanda Premier League champions, APR, and Peace Cup holders Mukura VS.
The game served as a curtain-raiser for the 2018/19 league season, which gets underway on October 19.
Mukura clinched their fifth Peace Cup title in August after stunning Rayon Sports 3-1 in penalty shoot-outs following a goalless draw over 120 minutes.
The annual Peace Cup match was established in 2016. AS Kigali won the inaugural edition in 2016 after beating Rayon Sports while the latter beat APR last year to take the second edition.
APR will represent the country in the Total Caf Champions League next year while Huye-based Mukura will feature in the continent’s second-tier club competition – the Caf Confederation Cup.
This was the first time that both sides met in a Super Cup contest since its inception.
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