Sunday

Muhanga       1-3  Rayon

Mukura          1-2  Police

Saturday

APR                  3-0  Bugesera

Marines          1-0  Musanze

Espoir              1-1  Sunrise

Tuesday

Gicumbi          Vs    AS Kigali (Gicumbi, 15h30)

SC Kiyovu       Vs    APR (Kigali Stadium, 17h30)

Wednesday

Police              Vs    Sunrise (Kigali Stadium, 15h30)

Amagaju        Vs    Mukura (Nyagisenyi, 15h30)

Kirehe             Vs    Marines (Kirehe, 15h30)

Bugesera       Vs    AS Muhanga (Mumena Stadium, 15h30)

Thursday

Musanze        Vs    Etincelles (Ubworoherane, 15h30)

Rayon Sports         Vs      Espoir (Kigali Stadium, 15h30)

MUHADJIRI HAKIZIMANA is looking to keep improving his goal-scoring prowess after his first professional hat-trick inspired APR to a 3-0 victory against Bugesera in the Azam Rwanda Premier League on Saturday at Kigali stadium.

The win temporarily restored APR’s six-point cushion at the summit of the league standings although their lead was cut back to three points when second-placed Rayon Sports saw off hosts AS Muhanga 3-1 on Sunday. 

The Rubavu-born forward put his side ahead with a well taken shot in the 45+1’ minute from spot kick after Bugesera players fouled Amran Nshimiyimana, with the other two goals coming in the second half.

His second goal resulted from a well taken free kick in the 77th minute and the third another beauty from free kick in the 90+5 minute. 

"I am very excited for scoring a hat-trick. It is the first time in my professional career that I have scored three goals in one game. I thank my teammates and coach and hope to continue playing a role in my team’s success,” Hakizimana said.

Bugesera tried to come back into the game in second half and had a spell of possession but failed to convert their chances, only to be punished further in the 77th minute.

"This emphatic win means that we are in the right direction in regards to our target for this season,” he said. "We have to be consistent and keep working hard. We will keep fighting to finish the league on a high. We want to win the league and I want to finish as top scorer.”

After their emphatic victory over Bugesera on Saturday, APR take on Alain Kirasa’s SC Kiyovu on Tuesday in what is widely seen as a threat to their bid for a record-extending 18th league title.

The goals took his tally for the season to 13, one shy of the leading goal scorer Jules Ulimwengu of Rayon Sports.

Meanwhile, Ulimwengu’s double and Olivier ‘Sefu’ Niyonzima’s goal kept Rayon Sports in the title race while Dany Niyongira scored the consolation goal for AS Muhanga.

Zlatko Krmpotić’s army side lead the table with 57 points, with Rayon three points adrift with 54, while Mukura – who lost 2-1 to Police over the weekend– are third with 48 points. Following SC Kiyovu’s 1-0 loss to AS Kigali on Friday, the law enforcers now complete top four with 40 points.

Courtesy of his double, 19-year old Ulimwengu leads the hunt for the 2018/2019 Azam Rwanda Premier League’s golden boot, with 14 goals, just one ahead of APR star Hakizimana.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com