League leaders APR FC showed their title winning credentials with a hard fought 4-2 win over a stubborn Etincelles side at the Bugesera Stadium in Nyamata in Sunday’s league thriller.
The game had a significant meaning at the ongoing title race as APR were looking to a void any slip up that would have seen Rayon seal the top spot while visitors Etincelles were poised to not only keep their unbeaten run but a victory would also have seen them close the gap at the top by just three points.
Ben Moussa’s warriors exerted their authority in the game as early as the third minute through Innocent Nshuti who raced to a through ball and fired into the net to give his side the lead.
The early goal unsettled Etincelles as they had to chase the game. APR’s midfield, led by Bonheur Mugisha made sure all supplies to striker Moro Sumaila were cut as the Ghanaian striker was left isolated upfront.
The home side continued to pile pressure on Etincelles as Yannick Bizimana on numerous occasions found spaces at the back of their defense and exploited.
Mugisha found Ramadhan Niyibizi with an excellent pass and the winger had time to cut back before locating Yannick Bizimana who fired a shot from 18 yards into the net in the 34th minute to make it 2-0.
Etincelles started to come into the game as they used the pace of Sadjat Niyonkuru to great effect.
Kakule Mukata weaved magic deep in the half of APR and was brought down. The referee awarded a free kick to Etincelles and Hussein Nsabimana stepped up and hit a grounder into the net on the stroke of half time as Pierre Ishimwe failed to save the ball.
While the first half ended with APR leading the scores Etincelles coach Rajab Bizumuremyi pulled out Moro Sumaila at the start of the second half and brought on Abdul Muniru in an attempt to revive his attack.
It worked to perfection as APR skipper Prince Buregeya found it hard to handle the Ghanaian striker.
Etincelles found the equalizer in the 61st minute through Abdul Muniru as Pierre Ishimwe failed to grab a ferocious 30-yard drive from Ibrahim Niyonsenga. Muniru who was lurking in the APR penalty box just blasted the rebound into the net to make it 2-2.
Etincelles joy was, however, short-lived as against the run of play the time Bosco Ruboneka sent a cross-field pass to Gilbert Mugisha and the attacker, who had already gone past the Etincelles central defenders, had the easiest of task by poking the ball into the net in the 64th minute to make it 3-2.
APR maintained their composure by closing all spaces and began to attack the visitors while also paying close attention to their attack to avoid another surprise equalizer.
Substitute Anicet Ishimwe was brought down in the 80th minute and Christian Ishimwe hit a classic free kick from 35 yards to give APR a 4-2 lead.
Chances were far and few between there as the military side held on in the last ten minutes to win the game 4-2 and reclaim their top stop on the league table with 40 points while Rayon remain close in second place with 39 points and Kiyovu 4th with 38 points.
Elsewhere, Police FC inflicted more misery on struggling Musanze FC with a 4-0 victory at Muhanga Stadium. Danny Usengimana opened the scoring for the law enforcers in the 13th minute before Didier Mugisha added a brace in the 45th and 63rd minute while Muhadjiri Hakizimana scored the fourth in the 80th minute.
Musanze are without a win in the second round of the league this FC season despite enjoying an impressive first round.