Blues' pain, APR's gain: 5 Rwanda Premier League talking points
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
APR FC players celebrate the victory as they beat Marine FC 3-2 at Umuganda Stadium on Sunday, March 12. Courtesy

It was an exciting week 23 of the Rwanda Premier League as APR and Kiyovu maintained their winning streak whereas Rayon dropped points following a 1-1 draw with AS Kigali.

Times Sport brings you five things we learnt from the week 23 matches.

Ojera complementing Onana's effort in attack

The Ugandan forward has been in fantastic form since he joined Rayon Sports in February, having found the back of the net three times in his last three appearances for the title chasers.

He curled in a superb effort into the top far corner of the met on Sunday in the 1-1 draw with Etincelles after receiving a short corner and dummying his marker Lawrence Juma.

Onana has finally found an attacking partner who is naturally gifted and is releasing some of the burdens on him in the field of play.

ALSO READ: Blow as Rayon slip to make way for Kiyovu

Kiyovu end Etincelles’ unbeaten home run

Etincelles had been invincible at home since October and had not tasted a defeat at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu this season until Kiyovu spoiled that record on Sunday.

The Rubavu-based side had been every title contender’s dark horse as they beat Rayon 3-2, drew 1-1 with APR, while they also came from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw against AS Kigali but Kiyovu were prepared to bite back had the home side posed any serious threat during Sunday’s clash.

A late Bertrand Iradukunda goal condemned Etincelles to a 2-1 home defeat in the hands of the Green Baggies.

ALSO READ: Ngendahimana the hero as Rayon end APR’s four-year dominance

APR looking unstoppable

Since the 1-0 defeat to Rayon on February 12, in a week 19 fixture, APR have been on fire and they have scored at least three goals during their last four outings.

The defeated Marines FC 3-2 in Rubavu despite the home team proving to be a hard nut to crack.

AS Kigali defensive calamity

AS Kigali have to blame themselves as their defense vulnerabilities continue to cost them important points this season.

Latif Bishira's partnership with Thierry Manzi is not yielding any good results as the former has been struggling to cement stability and instead give out goals during four games just like they did during Sunday's 1-1 against Rayon.

Either coach Andre Casa Mbungo should work on Bishira’s revival or he finds a suitable defensive partner for Manzi who has not been bad since he signed for the club.

Espoir might officially say goodbye soon

People Rusizi might be waving goodbye to watch Premier League football played on their home ground next season as Espoir now look destined to be relegated.

They were walloped 4-0 by a Rutsiro team which had been poor this season and were humiliated 6-1 by APR in match day 22.

Unless a miracle happens, Espoir's relegation fate to Division 2 could be decided by as early as week 26.