APR FC put up arguably their best performance of the Primus National League so far this season as red-hot striker Victor Mbaoma’s double helped his side beat Etincelles 3-0 at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu on Sunday. The Nigerian attacker continued his goal scoring form as his two goals, and Ramadhan Niyibizi’s strike late in the first half, saw his side bag another important three points against the home side which missed a second half penalty while they also had a goal disallowed. APR proved to be a dominant side in the early stages of the game and they didn’t take long to open the scoring in the 15th minute through Mbaoma who was set up by Jean Bosco Ruboneka. The goal awoke Etincelles who started to chase the equalizer despite playing with no particular pattern. The visitors were, on the other hand, very organised especially in midfield where Ruboneka and Taddeo Lwanga combined well in the department by playing a crucial part in supplying passes in attack and making important recoveries defensively. Etincelles’ hopes of bring the scores level were dealt to a huge blow when they were reduced to 10 men after defender Abdul Nshimiyimana was sent off for a tackle against an APR player. The home side since became disintegrated and hence struggled to cope with the visitors’ pressure which yielded dividends on the stroke of the first half injury as Mbaoma and Ramadhan Niyibizi extended the lead for the visitors in the additional time of the first half. APR were ahead with a 3-0 lead at half time. ALSO READ: Mbaoma eyes league title golden boot in debut season with APR The second half saw Etincelles improving upon their game and started to get into APR’s vital area as they pushed bounce back. But the Rubavu-based side was showing no signs of recovery as Thierry Froger made substitutions for APR, bringing in Innocent Nshuti and Salomon Bidjeme Banga for Victor Mbaoma and Yunusu Nshimiyimana respectively. In what turned out to be Etincelles’ best moment of the game, Justin Makuta found his way into the APR penalty box but he was brought down by Taddeo Lwanga in the 64th minute. Sadjat Niyonkuru stepped up to take the spot kick but he missed it to the agony of the home fans. The home side kept pushing and had the ball at the back of the net in the 77th minute before the referee ruled it for a foul prior to the goal. Thierry Froger brought on Ismael Nshimirimana for Taddeo Lwanga and Apam Assongwe for Alain Bacca Kwitonda as he devised a new strategy of calming the game down. There were no further chances as APR held on to register the win in style. Elsewhere, a 15th minute goal from Cedric Mavugo was all what visiting Gorilla FC needed at the Huye Stadium to hand Amagaju their first defeat of the season. It was also Gorilla's first win of the season after drawing six times in their last seven games. Etoile de l'Est also held AS Kigali to a goalless draw at Ngoma Stadium. Sunday’s results left Musanze FC still leading the table on goal difference despite going level on 17 points with APR FC.
