Tuesday
Rayon 2-1 Bugesera Marines 1-2 APR Gasogi 0-0 Police
RAYON Sports striker Michael Sarpong and midfielder Gilbert Mugisha were on the target – both in the second half – as the Blues beat Bugesera 2-1 at Kigali Stadium on Tuesday night.
With the victory, the champions extended their unbeaten run this season to four games and, as a result, moved back to second in Rwanda Premier League with ten points, level with leaders and bitter rivals APR who have a superior goal difference.
Mugisha broke the deadlock in the 57th minute following a good display between new signing Jean Claude Iranzi and skipper Eric Rutanga before Ghana-born talisman Sarpong – off a wonderful pass from Oumar Sidibe – doubled the lead just seven minutes later.
This was the second time Mugisha and Sarpong combined to inspire Rayon to victory this term, as their second-half goals also fired Martinez Espinosa's side to a 2-0 win over AS Kigali earlier this month.
While the visitors were the better side in the first half, Rayon noticeably controlled the second period but Iranzi, Rutanga and Sarpong missed clear chances that could have put the game to bed long before the hour-mark.
Burundian forward Francis Mustafa, who had hit the goal post earlier in the first half, scored the consolation goal for the visitors in the 80th minute.
In the meantime, 17-time champions APR also overcame Marines 2-1 at Umuganda Stadium to stay top, while Gasogi United frustrated Police in a goalless stalemate at Mumena Stadium.