Rwamagana City relegated as APR lift trophy despite loss

Match-day 30Mukura VS 4-0 Bugesera FCSC Kiyovu 2-2 AS MuhangaPolice FC 4-0 Etincelles Espoir FC 1-0 Gicumbi FCAPR FC 1-2 AS KigaliAmagaju FC 0-0 Sunrise FCRwamagana City 1-2 Marines FCMusanze FC 2-0 Rayon Sports Rwamagana City FC became the second club to be relegated from the country’s topflight football – after AS Muhanga – following a 2-1 defeat against visitors Marines on the final day of the season yesterday. Both Rwamagana and Muhanga had been fighting relegation all season. Rwamagana still had an outside chance to survive relegation heading into the last day of the season but they needed to beat Marines and hope that Musanze FC lose against Rayon Sports. And none of these results went in their favour, as Musanze shocked Rayon Sports 2-0 to seal their status as a topflight football side next season. Meanwhile, APR FC were crowned league champions for the 16th time in 22 years yesterday, despite losing their last game 2-1 against AS Kigali at the Kigali Regional Stadium. AS Kigali goals came from Onesme Twizerimana and Ernest Sugira, who was playing his last game for the club as he’s poised to officially move to DR Congo side AS Vita Club. APR’s consolation goal was scored by Emeriy Bayisenge. APR finished the season with 67 points, six ahead of second-placed Rayon Sports. Rayon’s defeat to Musanze ensured the latter avoided relegation even if Rwamagana would have won their fixture – which they didn’t anyway. AS Muhanga, who have occupied the bottom place all-season, had their fate sealed way before. Francois Kalisa’s Rwamagana City were beaten 2-1 at Rwamagana Police grounds by Marines, who finish the league in 10th position with 30 points. Rwamagana City, promoted from the second-tier league this season, along with AS Muhanga, Etincelles and Bugesera FC, managed six wins and seven draws, and lost 16 games throughout the season. They finished in 15th place with 25 points from 30 matches. AS Muhanga, who have been awful all-season, finished bottom of the 16-team league table, managing only 21 points after winning five games and drawing six, while they lost a whopping 22 times. Mukura Victory Sports forward Muhadjir Hakizimana and Police FC’s Danny Usengimana finished the campaign as the league joint top scorers with 16 goals a piece, each earning himself Rwf 1 million in prizes. editorial@newtimes.co.rw