Players abroad: Drama as Alderweireld scores late to end Ndayishimiye’s title dream
Monday, June 05, 2023
Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye whose side Genk threw their chance of winning the Belgian Pro League title away after they conceded a late equalizer from Royal Antwerp. Courtesy

It was a fair weekend for Rwandan players plying their trade outside the country as the likes of Yannick Mukunzi and Warren Kamanzi enjoyed good performance at their respective teams before the international break.

However, it was not a good way to wind up the season for Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye whose side Genk threw their chance of winning the Belgian Pro League title away after they conceded a late equalizer from Royal Antwerp through Toby Alderweireld’s long range finish. Antwerp were eventually crowned champions.

Times Sport takes a look at how Rwandan players fared abroad over the weekend.

Sweden

Yannick Mukunzi played 90 minutes for Sandviken IF who played out a 1-1 draw with Pitea on Sunday. Lague Byiringiro was introduced in the 84th minute while Striker Kalebo Wimbabazi did not make the Pitea match day squad.

Rafael York saw full time action for Gefle IF in their 2-0 defeat to Orebro on Sunday. His junior brother Torre Rafael was an unused substitute at the same club.

Belgium

The final match day in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League was full of drama as three teams namely Genk, Royal Antwerp and Union Saint-Gilloise were all in contention for the title.

Ndayishimiye’s Genk were sitting second on the table with 45 points on the table, just a point behind Antwerp who were their final match day opponent.

Ndayishimiye set up Bryan Heynen to give Genk a 2-1 lead over Antwerp in the 75th minute and if they had held on for the three points, they would have won the title.

Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise were in pole position to become champions but collapsed late in the season, failing to win any of their final three games which included a 3-1 loss to outgoing champions Club Brugge on Sunday.

Genk were on the brink of being crowned Belgian league champions before former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld came to the rescue as his equalizer brought Antwerp back to the top of the table. The draw saw Antwerp win their first league title since 1957.

Elsewhere, Ian Muhire played 90 minutes of action 94th minute as his Genk U14 side beat Lille 1-0 to win the Vogido Cup.

France

Warren Kamanzi was a full timer for Toulouse who wrapped up the French Ligue 1 season with a 2-1 away victory over Monaco.

Norway

Ange Mutsinzi was a pillar at the back for FK Jerv who beat Sandnes 3-2 on Saturday in the Norwegian second tier.

Elsewhere in the third tier, Clement Twizere Buhake was in the posts for Strommen IF who defeated Ullern 2-0.

Denmark

Sanders Ngabo replaced Chukwuani in the 88th minute as his side Lyngby BK held 0-0 AC Horsens to a goalless draw.

Libya

Haruna Niyonzima made way for Shamikh Gadafi in the 89th minute as his club Al Tawon beat Al Soqoor 3-0

Iraq

Faustin Usengimana featured for Al Qasim who drew 0-0 with Al Hudod.