Rayon Sports on Sunday defeated Etincelles 2-0 at Muhanga Stadium as they continue to chase league leaders APR FC in the title race.
It was an evenly-contested game from the start as chances were far and few.
Both teams were delightful in midfield with Rayon relying on Eric Ngendahimana who sat just in front of the back four as Heritier Luvumbu was operating in a more offensive role.
Etincelles travelled to Muhanga without injured Moro Sumaila and were left with no choice but ti pack their midfield as Abdul Muniru was deployed alone upfront where he could rely on his strength and ability to hold up the play in the vital area.
The first chance of the game fell to Leandre Onana who was set up by Musa Essenu but his curling effort inside the penalty box narrowly went wide.
The Blues defenders also had a tough time dealing with Sadjat Niyonkuru who often dropped deep to take the ball to feed Muniru but the likes of Abdul Rwatubyaye and club player of the month Osaac Mitima kept an eye on him to avoid any offensive threat from the striker.
Elie Ganijuru was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute by referee Ishaq Nizeyimana for a foul on Sadjat Niyonkuru but Etincelles wasted the resultant free kick.
The deadlock of the game was finally broken in the 44th minute through Ugandan forward Joackim Ojera who dribbled past two defenders before hitting a low effort past goalkeeper Arsene Kambale for the opener.
It was his second goal in two successive games after he scoring against Rutsiro last week.
The first half ended with Rayon leading the scores.
The second half saw both teams playing cautiously as they sought to catch the other on the break.
Etincelles midfielder Kakule Mukata started to move to empty spaces and he created a couple of chances which were wasted.
The visitors had the chance to equalize in the 75th minute but Ibrahim Niyonsenga's shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Abdul Muniru who shot straight to goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana.
Rayon punished Etincelles with the second goal in the 80th as Leandre Onana hit a volley inside the net after the opponents’ defenders had failed to clear a free kick converted by Luvumbu.
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The game was shaped by tensions which saw Musa Esenu and Etincelles skipper Abdul Nshimiyimana both sent off in the 88th minute as they nearly engaged in a fight.
The game ended with Rayon leading 2-0, closing the gap to the top of the table by just one point behind leaders APR.
Other games
AS Kigali's patchy form in the second round of the league continued as they lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Espoir FC. Karim Nkoto netted the winner on the stroke of half time.
Musanze FC also recorded their first victory in the second round of the league after beating Gasogi United 2-1. Arafat Tuyisenge and Patrick Ntijyinama scored for the home side before Theodore Malipangu pulled one back for Gasogi.