The 2022/23 Rwandan Premier League has entered its twilight stage. Just like last season where it was a two-horse race between APR and Kiyovu SC, going down to the last game, the pair also lead the race to this year’s league campaign with five games to go while Rayon Sports also stand a fair chance of lifting what would be their first league title in four years.
APR lead the table with 53 points after 25 games whereas Kiyovu have also amassed the same points though the army side have a superior goal difference. Third-placed Rayon Sports trail four points adrift of the two teams with 49 points but, mathematically, they are still in the contention of the title which they would lift should they win all their games and wait for the two top teams drop points.
Looking at the remaining fixtures of the three teams, it is fair to say that anything is possible as football has always defied logic.
Here is what you need to know about each of the three title contenders.
APR FC
Position: 1st
Points: 53 (+22)
APR has a lot to thank current coach Ben Moussa who managed to bring the team back at the top after a series of controversies involving former coach Adil Erradi and players that shaped the club sparked by a poor debut start to the season.
Adil left the club and Moussa brought it back and kicking. The army side is now at the top of the table, but they face pressure from rivals Kiyovu who trail them at the top on goal difference.
APR will face in-form Police FC on April 22 in a game which could go a long way to have an effect on their title ambitions. It is one of the toughest fixtures remaining for APR given that the pair were tied to a 1-1 draw in the first round.
Police defeated Kiyovu Sports and Rayon who are all title hopefuls and APR will not find it easy against them. APR also have games against AS Kigali which is another top fixture that can go either way. Their last three games are against Espoir, Rwamagana City and Gorilla which could be by far the easiest fixtures for the army side either way.
As things stand, the title is APR’s to lose.
Kiyovu Sports
Kiyovu have for the past two consecutive seasons shown their title credentials, unlike the previous years where they were considered as mid table teams.
They finished second last season after losing the title to APR by just one point and, even without talisman Emmanuel Okwi who left the club before the beginning for the 2022/3 season, Kiyovu’s hunger for their first league title in 30 years has never gone. They look even hungrier and they are now tied on 53 points with APR who lead the table by goal difference.
Compared to APR, the Green Baggies have relatively easier fixtures. They will take on Gorilla FC on Saturday before hosting Mukura VS. They will then travel to Ubworoherane Stadium to face Musanze after which they will wrap up with games against Sunrise and Rutsiro.
These are manageable matches Kiyovu can pick all points at stake. Otherwise, the title will go out of their hands just like last season.
Rayon Sports
Rayon started with energy that any team that wants to win the title shows. The team, led by head coach Francis Hringingo, led the table in the first round for quite some time but a result crisis hit them when they lost three consecutive games against APR, Gasogi, and Etincelles to finish the first round in fourth place.
The return of Leandre Onana and Abdul Rwatubyaye, who were out through injury, boosted the team’s performance and bounced back to reclaim the top spot.
Pundits agreed that Rayon were favorites to win the title when they beat APR in the league return leg but defeat against Police coupled with draw against Kiyovu blew their chance of maintaining their top spot.
They now trail four points to the top but the next five games could pull some surprise to rivals if the Blues manage to win them all and wait for rivals to drop points.
Looking at Rayon remaining fixtures, they will face Rwamagana City, Espoir, Gorilla, Marines, and Sunrise. On paper, it looks like easy encounters but the away matches against Espoir, and Sunrise FC could be dangerous.
Goal differences factor
APR have a 22-goal difference which is the highest among the teams vying for the title. They have scored 42 goals and conceded 20 after 25 games.
Rayon also have a 15-goal difference, having netted 37 and conceded 22 while Kiyovu have scored 40 and conceded 26, hence a 14-goal difference.