APR halt Police's winning streak

Yesterday Police 1-1 APR Bugesera 2-0 Espoir Today SC Kiyovu vs Amagaju FC 3:30pm Mukura vs Rwamagana City Etincelles vs Rayon Sports Sunday AS Muhanga vs Musanze FC Gicumbi vs Marines AS Kigali vs Sunrise FC Table leaders Police FC saw their perfect start to the season halted after a 1-1 draw against reigning champions APR in a highly contested Azam Rwanda Premier League match played yesterday at Kicukiro stadium. Jean Claude Iranzi scored for APR in the 13th minute after going past three Police defenders, including right-back Jean Paul Uwihanganye and central defenders Fabrice Twagizimana and Hertier Turatsinze, before slotting the ball passed Police goalie Emery Mvuyekure. However, Andre Casa Mbungo’s side showed why they are unbeaten since preseason when former APR striker Isaie Songa scored the equaliser in the 74th minute off Rachid Kalisa’s well taken corner kick. The draw leaves Police with seven points, three ahead of APR, who under interim coach Emmanuel Rubona, have won one, drew one, and lost one game. The champions, still recovering from the midweek loss to Mukura VS on matchday 2, started strongly and could have taken the lead, first through Janvier Mutijima and then Michel Ndahinduka had it not been for the impressive Mvuyekure in goal. APR played without their skipper Ismail Nshutiyamagara who was rested and replaced by Abdul Rwatubyaye while first choice goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera also returned to the starting team after missing the midweek 2-0 defeat to Mukura. Rubona’s team dominated ball possession in the first half but Mbungo’s side defended so well before they upped their game in the second period. The game, played in-front of a large crowd, had some hard tackles flying all over the field but referee Louis Hakizimana did well to contain the situation. The first booking went to Police midfielder Imran Nshimiyimana for a bad tackle that left APR midfielder Yannick Mukunzi in some serious pain that saw him get medical attention on-field. With APR still leading, Mbungo made the first tactical change, substituting midfielder Hegman Ngomirakiza who did not have a good game against his former club with Muhammad Mushimiyimana. Soon after Danny Usengimana took the place of Innocent Habyarimana, while Imran Nshimiyimana gave way for Robert Ndatimana as Police pressed for an equalizer. The changes paid off when, with 16 minutes left on the clock, Songa, scored a deserved equalizer, sending Police fans into ecstasy. Rubona also made changes, subbing the ineffective Ndahinduka for Issa Bigirimana while Tumaine Ntamuhanga, who spent last season on the bench at Police FC, took the place of Bienvenue Mugenzi, a new signing from Marines. With tempers flaring, Iranzi was booked for a rush tackle on Twagizimana and was soon taken off and replaced by striker Bernabe Mubumbyi. Click here for the full preview of all weekend matches