[PHOTOS]: Rayon Sports seal 2016/17 league title

Wednesday Rayon Sport 2-1 Mukura Rayon Sports are 2016/17 Azam Rwanda Premier League Champions following their 2-1 win against Mukura VS, yesterday, at Stade de Kigali. A brace from Malian striker Mousa Camara was enough to see Rayon claim this season’s title with four matches to spare, ending three years of wait. The win took Rayon to 67 points, an unassailable 13 ahead of the former champions APR. Djuma Masudi’s side started the game with aggressiveness in search for an early goal and this yielded them a brilliant free-kick in the 12th minute. Rayon Sports coach, Masoudi Djuma is thrown in the air after the win at Nyamirambo Regional Stadium. Midfield maestro Pierrot Kwizera curled in a very perfect ball that found Camara set and headed in a powerful ball that went straight at the back of the net sending Rayon fans into wild celebrations. Camara had missed Rayon’s previous three games through suspension after escaping from the club’s camp without permission. Despite giving Rayon a tough time during their first-round tie in Huye that ended 1-1, Ivan Minnaert’s Mukura did not pose any real threat in the first half. Two minutes to half time break, Camara came close to scoring his second goal after a clear pass from Kwizera Pierrot, left him with only goalie Mpazimpaka to beat, however his powerful shot went wide. Rayon Sports striker Moussa Camara scored a brace. The Malian snatched a brace in the 54th minute, his tenth of the season as he dribbled past Mukura VS defenders following a long ball from goalie Eric Ndayishimiye, to comfortably net past Mazimpaka. However, celebrations in Rayon camp were cut short by Yousouf Habimana in the 56th minute following a brilliant cross from Christopher Ndayishimiye, which he headed in to give Mukura a consolation. Despite Mukura making scary attempts in the final minutes to equalize, Rayon stood firm and contained them hence winning the game 2-1. The loss left the Huye-based side Mukura VS ranked ninth with 32 points. This is Rayon’s eighth league title after winning it in 1975, 1981, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2013. Rayon Sports captain Jean Luc Bakame enjoys a bottle of beer during the celebrations. Rayon Sports will represent Rwanda at next year’s Total CAF Champions League. The champions are also still in contention for the Peace Cup title. They will face Police FC in the quarter final round next month for a place in the semifinals. Rayon sport forward Shassir Nahimana, shields the ball from a Mukura Victory Sports defender. Rayon Sports Olivier Niyonzima jumps in the air to clear the ball. Mukura coach Ivan Minnaert congratulates Rayon Sports upon winning 2017 Azam Premium league. Djabel Manishimwe fights for the ball with a Mukura defender. A Rayon Sports fan with her child celebrates before the referee blew the final whistle. editorial@newtimes.co.rw