Sunday

Scandinavia 1-0 AS Kigali

Gakenke 0-4 Kamonyi ES Mutunda 3-0 Rugende AS Kabuye 0-3 Inyemera Bugesera 0-0 Rambura

Scandinavia were crowned champions of the 2019 women national football league on Sunday after beating archrivals AS Kigali 1-0 at Umuganda Stadium.

The Rubavu-based side clinched the coveted title with a perfect 54 points after winning all their 18 matches this season. AS Kigali finished second with 48 points, having lost twice – both against Scandinavia – and won their remaining 16 games.

Not only it is Scandinavia’s maiden league title, but it also was the first time AS Kigali have failed to retain the it since dethroning now-defunct APR women’s football club in 2010.

A lone strike from Jeannette Ukwinkunda, in the 24th minute, proved to be the winner; ending a decade-long dominance of Shaban Mbarushimana’s side in local women football.

The victory for Radjab Bizumuremyi’s team was also a return of the favour over their bitter rivals after failing to win last year’s title in identical fashion where they lost 1-0 to AS Kigali in the league’s final match.

In other matches played on Sunday, Kamonyi finished third on the ten-team table – with 28 points – after thumping Gakenke 4-0, Rambura were held by Bugesera to a goalless stalemate, ES Mutunda humbled Rugende 3-0 while Inyemera won 3-0 over AS Kabuye.

AS Kabuye and Rugende, who finished in 9th and 10th spots, respectively, were relegated to second division league and they will be replaced by APAER and Fatima in the topflight league next season.

On top of the trophy, Scandinavia, who were visibly euphoric, also pocketed Rwf3.5million in cash prize, while AS Kigali walked away with Rwf1.5million.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com