APR miss chance to close gap

Wednesday APR FC 1-1 Espoir Sunday Etincelles Vs APR FC Monday Sunrise FC Vs Rayon Sports March 28 Gicumbi FC Vs APR FC APR FC saw their hopes of reducing the gap on the top four in the Azam Rwanda Premier League suffer a major blow following a 1-1 draw against lowly Espoir FC in a rescheduled Match Day 13 played on Wednesday at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo. Striker John Ssemazi, who was signed recently from Ugandan League side Vipers, put Espior ahead in a 32nd minute strike, while midfielder Andrew Buteera headed in the equaliser for the hosts in the 83rd minute of Djihad Bizimana’s well-taken corner kick. Ssemazi’s opener came after he eliminated APR young defender Prince Buregeya and midfielder Jean Claude Iranzi on a quick counterattack for the visitors. Buteera came from the bench in the place of Innocent Nshuti, to net his second goal of the season after scoring against Mukura Victory Sports. Nonetheless, the draw enabled the army side to jump two places in the Azam Premier League standings to fifth position with 22 points whereas Jimmy Ndayizeye’s Espor remain 13th position with 15 points. APR created about five chances to score through Maxime Sekamana, who hit the crossbar while Innocent Nshuti, Issa Bigirimana and Denis Rukundo all missed clear opportunities. The matchday 13 fixture had been postponed because APR were at the time preparing for their CAF Confederation Cup match against Djoliba AC de Bamako of Mali a fortnight ago, from which they were later eliminated. APR still have two games in hand to wind up the league first round. On Monday, defending champions Rayon Sports will visit Sunrise FC at Nyagatare. AS Kigali lead the league table standing with 29 points, one point ahead of SC Kiyovu in second spot, followed by defending champions Rayon Sports. Nyagatare side Sunrise are forth followed by APR FC. editorial@newtimes.co.rw