A 44th minute strike from Janvier Benedata proved decisive for AS Kigali who continued their resurgence in the second round of the Primus National League as they pipped Gasogi United 1-0 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, January 27. AS Kigali started with a three-man attack comprising of Kevin Ebene, Kone Lottin and Erisa Ssekisambu as they took control of the game from the early stages. Ssekisambu had a chance before the quarter hour mark but the ball was cleared as it posed no threat to goalkeeper Ibrahima Daouda. ALSO READ: AS Kigali will perform even better next season, vows club president Gasogi gradually warmed themselves into the game with talismanic Theodor Malipangou pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch. The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half time through a superb finish from Benedata sending very few AS Kigali fans into an ecstatic mood. Gasogi head coach Alain Kirasa pushed more men forward looking for the equalizer but AS Kigali slowed the tempo of the game. The Citizens decided to lay back and catch their opponents on the break. Serge Kabanda found the AS Kigali central defensive pair of Gilbert Dusingizimana and Jean Bosco Akayezu difficult to break as the duo held their might at the back with some excellent piece of defending. AS Kigali box-to-box midfielder Raphael Osaluwe was fantastic in the middle of the pitch as he combined both defensive and offensive duties. The final fifteen minutes of the game saw both teams coming all out for a goal but the defenders from both teams stood resolute as the game ended 1-0 in favor of AS Kigali. AS Kigali and Gasogi are now tied on 22 points from 18 games, occupying the 8th and 9th positions respectively on the table standings. Other Games Muhazi United defeated Gorilla FC 2-1 goals whereas rivals Marines and Etincelles settled for a 2-2 draw in the Rubavu derby at Umuganda Stadium.
