Akbar Muderi’s early goal was enough for Gasogi United to register a 1-0 win over ‘struggling’ Police FC during the Peace Cup semifinal first leg game held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Tuesday, April 16.

The narrow win put Gasogi in pole position of reaching their first Peace Cup final ever ahead of a Police FC side which has underperforming since the beginning of 2024.

Police paraded a winsome side with Didier Mugisha leading the attack and Muhadjiri Hakizimana and Abedi Bigirimana playing behind him as two number 10's.

Hesbon Rutonesha and Djibrine Akuki were both deployed in the heart of midfield while Eric Rutanga had a rare start at the back.

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After the early exchanges, Gasogi looked more composed and they controlled proceedings.

The visitors took an early lead after just nine minutes of action through offensive midfielder Akbar Muderi.

Gasogi looked threatening in attack with Serge Kabanda but Marc Nkubana and Rutanga at the back defended gallantly.

Police had a host of decent chances to equalize the score but their front three of Mugisha, Hakizimana and Bigirimana were so wasteful on the day as they failed to utilize the chances.

The defeat to Police FC is a big blow to Vincent Mashami who has a difficult task to overturn the result in the return leg to stand a chance of making it to the final and keep the club’s Peace Cup dream alive, having last won it back in 2015.

The second leg will take place on April 23 at Kigali Pele Stadium.