The Huye Stadium witnessed a great game on Saturday, August 5, as Mukura Victory Sports and Rwanda Premier League champions APR FC played out a goalless draw as part of the former's 60th anniversary game.
ALSO READ: Mukura hold APR in 60th anniversary fete
The game which also served as a preparatory outing for both teams ahead of the 2023/24 season was played at a highly-competitive level with great display of performance. It was more than just a friendly match.
Times Sport brings you five things we learnt from the game.
Bosco Ruboneka must look for a different position
Against Mukura, coach Thierry Froger played Taddeo Lwanga just in front of the back four as the holding midfielder with Sharaf Shaiboub and Ismail Nshimirimana in a more central role.
APR's midfield looked hard to penetrate as they ran the show for 90 minutes. They played a clean game Bosco Ruboneka, who had been the club's top midfielder for the past two season, was deployed to the wing, which is not his natural position, as he paved way for Lwanga.
It is now certain that APR's midfield is sealed and, if Ruboneka wants playing time, he must be thinking of a different position.
Mukura have a gem in Samuel Pimpong
Ghanaian winger Samuel Pimpong was introduced in the game as a substitute in the 70th minute and mesmerized Christian Ishimwe on the wings.
Pimpong, 23, signed for the club on Friday and he had a good 20 minutes against the league champions in what was his very first competitive outing for the Black and Yellow side.
It is evident that Mukura have signed a gem in the left footed winger and he will be essential for them this season.
Pimpong previously played for Ghana Premier League sides Dreams FC, Berekum Chelsea and Africa United in the United Arab Emirates. He was a key member of the Berekum Chelsea U19 team which reached the quarter finals of the prestigious Viarragio tournament in Italy in 2019
APR must start with a number 10
Though APR's midfield of Taddeo Lwanga, Sharaf Shaiboub and Ismail Nshimirimana made their mark against Mukura, it is evident that the team still needs a number 10.
The army side stated the game without a number 10 before coach Thierry Froger brought on Innocent Nshuti who also had a wonderful game.
If he had started Nshuti in the role, the story would have been different as Lwanga, Shaiboub and Nshimirimana worked tirelessly.
Kayumba-Ngirimana defensive partnership is top notch
It is difficult to understand why Soter Kayumba and Mukura skipper Alex Ngirimana are not handed call ups in the national team.
The duo’s partnership at the back is one of the best you can find.
They held Victor Mbaoma at bay for 90 minutes and they made no mistakes at the back. Their experience will be very key to Mukura fortunes this coming season.
The Mukura-fans love affair
At 10:30 in the morning, people were in queue at the entrance having their ticket sorted ahead of the game which was to kick off at 3pm.
The fans filled the stadium as they supported their team in the entertaining fixture.
At 60, Mukura is among the oldest clubs in Rwanda and they have good and disciplined fans who are always behind the team.