AS Kigali striker Shabban ‘Tshabalala’ Hussein is targeting to become Rwanda premier league’s top scorer for the second time in a row but faces stiff competition from Ghanaian Nwosu Samuel. Tshabalala so far leads the goal scoring charts with nine goals after 18 league matches of the ongoing league and is one goal ahead of Nwosu, who plays for minnows Etoile de l’Est, while Gasogi United’s Hassan Djibrine is third on the chart with seven goals. Nwosu and Djibrine have been in fine form despite the fact that their clubs have been struggling for results during the league with 13th placed Etoile only three points off the relegation zone and Gasogi, who sit 11th with 19 points, at risk of dropping more points without head coach Guy Bukasa who is now suspended by his employers until further notice. SC Kiyovu striker Abedi Bigirimana and Marine’s Fiston Ishimwe are the closest Rwandan players on the chart with six goals apiece. The former’s goals have been instrumental to the Green Baggies’ continued quest to end their title drought. The last time they won a league title was in 1993. The in-form Mumena-based side is now second on the league table with 38 points after 18 league game as they continue to pile more pressure on table leaders APR FC who are just two points ahead. The defending champions may be at the summit of the table, as has been the case in the past three seasons, but the club has struggled to produce goal machines in its ranks. APR signed Jacques Tuyisenge for a record fee from Angolan side Petro Atletico de Luanda in September 2020, but the Amavubi forward has struggled to score goals for the army side. The club now have Yannick Bizimana as their top scorer, having found the back of the next five time in the process. The striker hopes to build a strong attacking partnership with Lague Byiringiro who recently committed his future at the club until 2026. Top Scorers: Shaban Hussein (AS Kigali) 09 Nwosu Samuel (Etoile) 08 Hassan Djibrine (Gasogi) 07 Abedi Bigirimana (Kiyovu SC) 06 Fiston Ishimwe (Marine FC) 06 Ben Ocen (Musanze) 06 Adeaga Adeshola (Gorilla) 05 Yannick Bizimana (APR) 05 Abubakar Lawal ( AS Kigali) 05 Ramadhan Niyibizi ( AS Kigali) 05 Onana Willy Léandre (Rayon) 05 Opoku Mensah (Mukura) 5 Sadick Sulley (Bugesera) 5 Danny Usengimana (Police) 05
