Rayon Sports put up an impressive performance on Saturday, March 30, as midfielder Eric Ngendahimana scored a late winner the visitors defeated Mukura Victory Sports 1-0 at Huye Stadium in a Primus National League week 25 encounter. The game started at a slow pace as both teams were trying to avoid conceding a goal in the early stages. After early exchanges, the first chance of the game fell to ‘returning’ Prince Rudasingwa whose shot sailed off target after being played through by Rashid Kalisa in the 10th minute. There was a temporary hold up in the 12th minute as a pitch invader run from the Rayon Sports side of the pitch to the centre circle before being apprehended by the security forces who whisked him out of the stadium. As the game continued, Mukura had a chance in the 20th minute but Mohammed Sylla's header from Jean Marie Vianney Muvadimwe's cross went over the bar. Mukura gained more momentum and looked deadly on the wings with Samuel Pimpong who started the game as a number 10 swapping with Elie Tatou on the right wing. Mukura forward Samuel Pimpong then went on a solo run in the 30th minute as he beat his marker Hakim Bugingo but his final delivery was saved by goalkeeper Khadime Ndiaye. Pimpong’s attacking partner Elie Tatou Iradukunda was also more efficient in the middle as he won Mukura a free kick not far from the Rayon penalty box in the 35th but he blasted his shot wide to the relief of the visitors’ bench. Rayon skipper of the day Isaac Mitima made an excellent run into the home side’s penalty box in the 40th minute before exquisitely being disposed off the ball by Soter Kayumba. Chances were few in the final five minutes of the first half as both teams held on. The first half ended 0-0. The second half began on a fast tempo and it was Mukura Victory Sports who created the first chance in the 47th minute when Elie Tatou found Sylla with a superb pass but, with Ndiaye at his mercy, the Guinean striker fumbled and the ball was saved. Rayon piled pressure on Mukura Victory as they pinned them into their own half. Arsene Tuyisenge caused problems on the left wing as the defense of the home side could not contain him. Mukura failed to clear their lines in the 64th minute following a corner and Eric Ngendahimana made no mistake as he powered a header into the roof of the net for the opener. Coach Lotfi Afahmia made three changes as he brought on Ronnie Etoundi, Emmanuel Nsabimana and Zuber Hakizimana for Pimpong, Jean Marie Muvadimwe and Sylla respectively. Rayon could have doubled the lead in the 68th minute but Nicholas Sebwato made a wonderful save to deny Hadji Iraguha. More scoring chances came the Rayon was as Arsene Tuyisenge had a clear chance to make it 2-0 in the 73rd minute but he missed his kick before being replaced by Youssef Rharb two minutes later. Both teams made incursions into each other's vital area but failed to utilize the chances created. Rayon head coach Julien Mette brought on Emmanuel Mvuyekure and Fabrice Mugisha for Rashid Kalisa and Roger Kanamugire respectively in the 90th minute as they held on to the 1-0 win. The victory helped Rayon closed the gap at the top to within 10 points in second place, with league leaders APR FC having one game in hand.
