We were denied a clear goal, says Police coach

Sunday APR 1-0 Police SC Kiyovu 1-1 Espoir Musanze 2-2 AS Muhanga Etincelles 1-3 Esperance Mukura 1-1 Gicumbi POLICE FC coach Sam Ssimbwa has said his team was unlucky in their 1-0 defeat against rivals APR at Stade de Kigali on Sunday. Ssimbwa said he believes the game would have ended in a draw because his team was denied a genuine goal. “That was a genuine goal, but we don’t have anything to do about it,” Ssimbwa said in reference to a touch line clearance by APR’s defender Emery Bayisenge. Bayisenge’s goal line clearance left Ssimbwa fuming on the touchline, claiming the ball had crossed the line, but the referee and his assistant didn’t see it that way. “Looking at the performance, it is disappointing that we didn’t get the result that I think we deserved, but if we can take this performance into the next nine games. We’re going to get a lot of points,” stated the former Ugandan international. Ssimbwa’s team went into the game in third place, six points behind second-placed APR on the league table. Police dominated the opening 45 minutes but were frustrated by a solid APR backline led by Emery Bayisenge who even cleared one attempt off the line. The young Rwandan international defender missed APR’s last league game against AS Kigali through suspension and on his return, he proved to be the best defender as he made crucial saves. Police conceded a 58th-minute Patrick Sibomana goal, after Rwanda’s U20 national team striker converted a well coordinated move that involved Andrew Buteera and Charles Tibingana. “I have lost a battle but the war is still on. We wanted to win but this is football, we did all we could but failed to find the net,” Ssimbwa said before adding: The win helped APR return to the top of the league table with 40 points, three points ahead of Rayon Sports, who dropped to second but have a game in hand. Espoir took advantage to move into third place with 32 points following their 1-1 draw against SC Kiyovu at Mumene stadium, while Police and AS Kigali drop to fourth and fifth position respectively with 31 points each. Police have won nine, and lost four of their 17 league matches played so far. Rayon Sports and AS Kigali, who are featuring in Africa club championships, will play on February 19 and 20 against Amagaju and Marines, respectively.