AS Kigali goalkeeper Pascal Niyonkuru was the hero of the day as he saved a penalty from striker Innocent Nshuti in injury time to earn his side a point after Saturday’s crucial 1-1 draw with APR FC in the Primus National League. On a rainy afternoon at the Kigali Pele Stadium, it took the defending champions just six minutes to take the lead through a fantastic finish from Victor Mbaoma who now leads the charts as the league joint-top scorer. APR's midfield was marshalled around Sharaf Eldin Shaiboub who was playing his first game after returning from injury. The Sudanese midfielder was the engine of the military side as he drove the team forward with his commanding display which included his ability to support both the defense and the attack. APR piled pressure on AS Kigali but Latif Bishira and others stood resolute as they thwarted most of their efforts. The first half ended with the army club leading 1-0. ALSO READ: Mubiru hits late winner as Sunrise FC stun AS Kigali The second half saw AS Kigali taking control of the game. Coach Andre Casa Mbungo pushed more men forward in an attempt to get an equalizer. The pressing paid dividends as the visitors leveled the scores ealr in the second half through Fiston Ishimwe. AS Kigali had an infringement inside the APR penalty box in the 48th minute and they were awarded a spot kick. Former APR player Fiston Ishimwe stepped up and beautifully hit it past Pavelh Ndzila to make it 1-1. APR coach Thierry Froger decided to beef up his attack, taking off Apam Assongwe and Shaiboub for Gilbert Mugisha and Innocent Nshuti who were both on scoresheet as Rwanda stunned South Africa 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, November 21. The changes brought a lot of urgency to APR’s attacking department as they took control of the game. After numerous missed chances, APR had a penalty in the 83rd minute following a foul in the AS Kigali 18-yard box. Innocent Nshuti stepped up but saw his penalty saved by AS Kigali goalkeeper Niyonkuru. That was few minutes after the striker had his goal ruled out after Victor Mbaoma fouled Niyonkuru before Nshuti scored. The final seven minutes of the game saw both teams trying to find a late winner but the defenders of both sides held their might at the back as the game ended 1-1. Other Games In-form Abedi Bigirimana and Aboubakar Akuki Djibrine scored for Police FC as they defeated Amagaju 2-1 at the Huye Stadium to make it six victories in a row for Vincent Mashami’s side who closed the gap at the top of the table with just a point adrift of leaders Musanze and APR. Elsewhere at Nyamata Stadium, Francis Haringingo's first game as Bugesera FC head coach ended in defeat as they were pipped 1-0 by visitors Marines FC while Rayon Sports were held to a 1-1 draw by Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu.. The home side took the lead in the 40th minute before Heritier Luvumbu converted a penalty in the 60th minute to make it 1-1. The match between Sunrise FC and Kiyovu at Nyagatare Stadium was suspended after seven minutes of action as the pitch was flooded by rain.
