Police FC coach urges players to aim higher

SaturdayPolice FC 1-1 Kirehe Espoir 2-0 Musanze Gicumbi 0-1 Marines FridayAPR FC 2-1 Etincelles Police FC head coach Innocent Seninga has urged his players to prove they can win this season’s national league title following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Kirehe FC at Kicukiro stadium. The law enforcers’ side is seeking their first ever league title and were hoping to win and keep pressure on table leaders Rayon Sport, but their plans were thwarted by Hamisi Sogonya’s team. The home team looked sharper and more aggressive going forward on Saturday, and took an early lead through striker Justin Muco in the 16th minute. Danny Usengimana provided the assist. In the second half, both sides created very few scoring chances but it was the visitors, who got the breakthrough with the equalizing goal in the 72nd minute courtesy of Ismi Kagabo. Minutes before Kirehe equalized, Seninga took off midfielder Mohammad Mushimiyimana, who seemed his best player on the day and brought on Japhet Imurora. “I think the substitution they made helped us so much to come back into the game because Mushimiymana had stifled our midfield, we were not creating any chances, so when he was taken off, we were able to play our normal game and consequently equalized,” Kirehe coach Sogonya said after the game. Seninga also admitted that the change was a tactical error, “They were playing a defensive game and I decided to bring Imurora for Mushimiyimana, who is more creative but instead it cost us.” He further noted that; “It’s not a good result to us and we are very disappointed but we have to move on and try to bounce back in the next game against Pepiniere.” The draw left Police in second position with 14 points while Kirehe also stayed in sixth place with 11 points after seven rounds of matches. Marines get first win Meanwhile, Marines FC beat Gicumbi 1-0 to snatch their first win of the season on Saturday at Mumena Stadium. Skipper, Hussein Nsabimana scored the lone goal from the penalty spot in the 46th minute to give Rubavu-based side, the first win in seven matches. However, despite the win, Marines remain second from bottom of the table with four points, while Pipinierre dropped to bottom with just a solitary point. Marines head coach AbdulKarim ‘Coka’ Ndihirabandi saluted his players following their first win of the season, “We are delighted to get our first win of the season because we wanted to get our confidence back.” “The players gave their best to get this win. I am looking forward to the next matches because we want to secure more wins to save our season,” he noted. Elsewhere, Espoir beat Musanze 2-0, thanks to goals from Hussein Renzaho and Sadam Nyandwi in the 65th and 90th minute respectively. On Friday, reigning champions APR FC, under new head coach Jimmy Mulisa, edged Etincelles 2-1, thanks to goals from Issa Bigirimana and Djihad Bizimana. The win propelled the army side to fifth spot on 11 points with two games in hand against Pepiniere and Kirehe FC while Etincelles FC are in fourth place with 12 points. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Police FC coach urges players to aim higher