APR thrash strugglers Musanze to move back on top
Sunday, February 26, 2023
APR FC players celebrate a 3-0 victory over Musanze FC on February 26. Courtesy

APR FC moved back to the summit of the Rwanda Premier League table after they easily dispatched Musanze FC 3-0 at Ubworoherane Stadium on Sunday.

Ben Moussa’s organised men looked firm favorites to tear Musanze aside which they eventually did in grand style with a convincing 3-0 win.

ALSO READ: APR see off Etincelles to move a point clear at the top

The army side started the game purposefully, taking control of the midfield with their 3-4-3 formation.

Bonheur Mugisha, who was the anchor in midfield, cut all supplies to Musanze striker Peter Agblevor who had previously scored three times in as many games against the visitors.

APR looked lively in attack with good interpositional play from Ramadhan Niyibizi, Innocent Nshuti and Yannick Bizimana.

Their dominance yielded dividends in the 36th minute when Gilbert Mugisha fired them ahead with a fantastic strike.

ALSO READ: Musanze reappoint Ahmed Adel as head coach

Mugisha, who was looking dangerous whenever he had the ball, scored his second goal of the game with a great effort to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Musanze failed to threaten the vital area of APR with goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe and defenders Fitina Omborenga, Prince Buregeya and Clement Niyigena all making good defensive moves to keep the home side’s attack at bay.

The first half ended in favor of APR who went to the break with a 2-0 lead.

The team, however, did not rest on the two goals as they opened fire on Musanze early in the second half with great attacking play.

It took just two minutes into the second half for in-form Yannick Bizimana to score a superb strike in the 47th minute, his fourth in his last five appearances for APR.

Muhanze were nowhere near APR’s playing standards and looked likely to concede more goals until coach Adel Mohammed opted for a purely defensive play and tried to catch the visitors on the break.

The APR defense were at their best as they easily handled Peter Agblevor, Luke Namanda and Ben Ocen anytime they made their way into the 18-yard box.

The league leaders had two chances in the last 25 minutes of the game but failed to utilize them as the referee blew his whistle to end of the game.

Moussa’s side have now moved back to the top of the table with 43 points, leading Rayon Sports by a single point. The latter beat Rutsiro 2-0 in Rubavu through Joachim Ojera and Musa Essenu.

Other Games

Elsewhere, Police FC beat Sunrise 2-1 at Muhanga Stadium. Dany Usengimana opened the scoring as early as the second minute before Didier Mugisha doubled the lead to make it 2-0 in the 15th minute while Samson Babuwa scored the consolation goal for Sunrise in the 53rd minute.

At Huye Stadium, goals from Zubel Hakizimana and Robert Mukogotya in the 49th and 67th minutes respectively were enough for Mukura Victory beat Gasogi United 2-1 at Huye Stadium on Sunday.

Gasogi reduced the deficit in the 77th minute through Abdul Aziz Harerimana but they weren’t able to find an equalizer.

In a battle between two relegation strugglers, Marines FC thrashed bottom-placed Espoir 4-0 at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu to pile more misery on the visitors.

Espoir were reduced to 10 men when Patience Niyongira was sent off after just two minutes from kick off.

Olivier Usabimana and Thaiba Mbonyumwami gave Marines a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half time before Olivier Dushimiyimana and Arthur Gitego added to the tally in the 47th and 70th minute to make it 4-0.