Peace Cup: APR, Police draw 1-1 in first leg

Police FC held title holders APR to a 1-1 draw in Peace Cup semi-final first leg played on Sunday at Kicukiro stadium. Earlier on Saturday, Rayon Sports beat Isonga 2-1 in their first leg clash at Muhanga stadium. Police took the lead in the 12th minute through Idisbald Nshuti after miscommunication between defender Emery Bayisenga, Ismail Nshutiyamagara and goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli. Police held onto their slim lead until the 85th minute when out of contract midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza netted the equalizer though his shot was a deflection off APR forward Michel Ndahinduka. The match was attended by Ugandan singer Joseph Mayanja known as Jose Chameleon who surprised spectators when he showed up dressed in APR black and white colors. “We played well but we didn’t hit the target, we have another match on Wednesday so we are going to prepare for the next leg, we will go for the win, it is bad for us because we conceded a goal at home, but we still have hope in the second leg,” explained APR assistant coach Vincent Mashami. Meanwhile, Police head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo said, “It was a hard game, we tried our best to get more goals and we defended well and its unfortunate that we conceded a late goal after dominating the whole game.” Police played without their key player’s skipper Jacques Tuyisenge as well as impressive midfielders Imran Nshimiyimana and Rashid Kalisa. The second leg between Police and APR will be played on Wednesday, a day after the second leg between Isonga and Rayon Sports. editorial@newtimes.co.rw