Bizimana hits brace as rampant APR humiliate Rutsiro
Saturday, March 04, 2023

Striker Yannick Bizimana scored twice to help league leaders APR FC inflict a 6-1 humiliating victory over Rutsiro at Bugesera Stadium on Saturday, March 4, to maintain their lead in Rwanda Premier League.

The former AS Muhanga and Rayon Sports attacker has rediscovered his top form and he was superb on Saturday as, with his attacking prowess, he led the military side's attack to tear Rutsiro apart throughout the game.

APR dominated proceedings from the early stages and had their first goal after just nine minutes when Christian Ishimwe surged forward on the left before locating an unmarked Bosco Ruboneka in the Rutsiro penalty box who called for the ball to send it at the 'back' of the net for the opener.

Rutsiro were playing with no pattern as they looked disjointed in every department of the game.

Congolese attacker Mumbere Malekidogo had to always drop back and fight for the ball trying to bring the visitors back in the game but Ben Moussa’s men looked sharper on the ball and dominated ball possession throughout the game.

ALSO READ: Ben Moussa poised to maintain APR’s winning mentality

APR, who were in total control of the game, doubled the lead in the 32nd minute through Omborenga Fitina.

Ramadhan Niyibizi found Fitina with a superb onetime pass and the right-back moved inside the Rutsiro vital area before hitting a shot past a hapless Delphin Tchomba to make it 2-0.

With just five minutes to the first half break, in-form Bizimana made it 3-0 with a fine strike inside the penalty box after brilliant work from Ramadhan Niyibizi and Omborenga Fitina.

Coming back in the second half, APR scored two quick goals in the 47th and 48th minutes through Yannick Bizimana and Ramadhan Niyibizi respectively before Jean Claude Nizeyimana scored a penalty for Rutsiro to reduce the deficit in the 51st minute.

Rutsiro looked so down during the game against an APR side whose attack looked unstoppable as they scored the sixth goal through an Innocent Nshuti penalty in the 55th minute.

It could have been worse for the Western Province-based side as substitute Anicet Ishimwe's close range effort in the 65th minute hit the post.

Yannick Bizimana also thought that he hit a hat trick in the 70th minute bofore it was ruled out for offside to the relief of the Rutsiro players.

Chances were far and few in the final 15 minutes of the goal until the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.

With the victory, APR maintained their top spot with 46 points, two clear of second-placed Kiyovu who beat Police 2-1 in Muhanga to keep their title hopes alive.

Riyad Nordien opened the scoring for the Green Baggies after just three minutes before Dany Usengimana equalized for Police to make it 1-1.

Kiyovu were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Ismail Nshimirimana was sent off in the 71st minute but it didn’t stop the home team take all three points as in-form Bienvenue Mugenzi grabbed a winner to restore Kiyovu’s lead to 2-1 with just two minutes to full time.

Elsewhere, in Ngoma, Cédric Lisele scored the only goal of the game as Rwamagana City beat Sunrise 1-0 while, in an earlier kickoff, Bugesera lost 1-0 at home to Mukura Victory Sport through Hakizimana Zubel’s 14th minute goal.