Rayon in winning start as Mukura loses to Espoir

Today Gicumbi vs Police (Gicumbi)APR vs Musanze (Stade de Kigali)SC Kiyovu vs Marines (Mumena)Sunrise vs AS Kigali (Rwamagana) YesterdayRayon Sport 1-0 AmagajuEspoir 1-0 Mukura VSEtincelles 2-2 Isonga Rayon Sports grabbed maximum points yesterday in the opening match of the 2014/15 season at Kigali Regional Stadium. New signing Peter Otema scored a stunning header on the 16thminute to help Sosthene Habimana’s side to kick off the season on a promising note. Rayon Sports full back Karim Nizigiyimana’s cross was not cleared by Amagaju’s makeshift defense led by Joachim Alanga something that made it easy for Otema to head in the first goal of the 2014/15 season. However ten-man Amagaju later dominated the first half with Innocent Ndizeye and Claude Mumbere Saiba putting Rayon Sport defenders on their toes but their attempts could not scare off the experienced Jean Luc Ndayishimiye who was outstanding in the stands. Defender Faustin Usengimana who was returning from a long term knee injury managed just 45 minutes after he suffered what seemed like a minor hip injury in the 30th minute. His replacement Sincere Hurbeto Manzi performed well on his debut for the blues as he manned the defense alongside Alype Majyambere. Both sides played a dull second half with either side failing to find the net as goal keepers of either side were made to put off several attempts. Habimana hailed his players for pulling off the narrow win but made it clear his strikers need to improve. “It’s a good start and with this kind of display, players will get to the rhythm we need to be in few days to come. I still have to work on my striking department as a way of addressing some of the several goal scoring opportunities we wasted today (yesterday),” added Habimana. In other matches, Isonga forced a 2-all draw against Etincelles away in Rubavu. Cyprien Sinamenye and Mustafa Nsengiyumva scored for Isonga while Jean D’amour Harorimana and Abasi Byamungu were on target for the home side. In Rusizi, Espoir also staged a bright start as they beat Mukura VS 1-0 courtesy of Deo Nibagwire. Action continues today with defending champions APR hosting Musanze at Kigali Regional Stadium. APR won a double last season to earn a slot of representing Rwanda at next year’s Caf Orange Champions league. The military side’s Serbian Ljupko Petrovic will be making his debut in the national football league. Other matches include Andre Cassa Mbungo’s side Police FC playing away to Gicumbi; SC Kiyovu hosts Marines at Mumena while Sunrise entertains AS Kigali in Rwamagana