An exquisite strike from midfielder Jean Bosco Ruboneka in the 65th minute won the day for APR who beat Police 1-0 at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Sunday, January 21 to go 17 league games unbeaten. The encounter between the two security sides was promising to be a clash between two title rivals but the victory in favor of Thierry Froger’s Lions left them in what could be a one-horse title race, having opened a three-point lead with one more game to play. Police FC started the game brightly as they made an incursion into the APR vital area inside the two minutes but a speculative long range drive by Abedi Bigirimana was comfortably saved by Pavelh Ndzila. APR responded immediately with a fine attack as Alain Kwitonda broke loose on the right but his effort was spilled by goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo after which the ball was cleared. Froger’s men started to have a leeway on the left side of the Police defence where Derrick Ndahiro was operating as they started bombarding the area with a series of attacks. ALSO READ: APR FC hoping to maintain unbeaten run ahead of Police clash Police FC nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute as Bigirimana leapfrogged his marker to head home a superb cross from Muhadjiri Hakizimana only for Ndzila to save it. A quick counter attack by Ramadan Niyibizi saw him release the ball to Kwitonda but the attacker's strike posed no threat to goalkeeper Rukundo. Clement Niyigena heavily policed Peter Agblevor as the striker found no space to exert his influence on the game. Police FC were dominant in midfield but Bigirimana always held on to the ball even when Peter Agblevor had made decent runs and chances were squandered. APR could have opened the scoring in the 34th minute had Kwitonda not missed a sitter after latching on to a cross by Sharaf Shaiboub as Rukundo came out from his post to save the danger. Muhadjiri had established himself into an attacking nightmare against his former side every time he had the ball. The midfielder stole the ball from APR midfield and weaved his way into the military side’s vital area but Ombolenga Fitina brought him down inches behind the penalty box as referee Claude Ishimwe awarded a free kick to the law enforcers. Unfortunately, Muhadjiri stepped up and blasted the resultant free kick over the cross bar to the relief of the APR fans. The first half ended with the scores at 0-0 though Police FC had the lion's share of possession. Obviously, APR struggled to pose attacking threats upfront without star striker Victor Mbaoma who is sidelined through injury. Froger had started Shaiboub in attack but his runs posed not a single danger to the Police defense. The Frenchman brought on Gilbert Mugisha who replaced Ramadhan Niyibizi after recess as he hoped to add more bite to his attack. Kwitonda took on three Police FC players in the middle before drifting to the left to hit a short which went off target in the 50th minute. Mashami also brought on Djibrine Aboubakar and Eric Nsabimana for Hesbon Rutonehsa and Savio Nshuti respectively in the 60th minute as he looks to add more attacking pace in a push for an opener. But it was APR who found the back of the net first through through Jean Bosco Ruboneka's fantastic strike in the 65th minute. Abedi Bigirimana failed to clear Omborenga Fitina’s cross and it fell to Kwitonda. The winger delivered a pinpoint cross which was connected beautifully by Ruboneka for the opener. Mashami launched an attacking pressing against APR as he brought on Bienvenue Mugenzi for Peter Agblevor who had been a mere passenger in the game. After observing Mashami’s changes, Froger immediately took off goal scorer Ruboneka for Ismail Nshimirimana as he looked to bring more steel to his midfield. The tempo of the game was up as Police FC pushed more men forward . They had some good chances to pull even but goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila was at his usual best, making some excellent saves that kept his side ahead. Kwitonda sustained a knock and was replaced by Yannick Bizimana in the 80th minute as he couldn't continue to play. The final ten minutes of the game saw APR defending gallantly as they held on to the 1-0 win to complete a double over their arch rivals.
