League leaders Rayon Sports FC settled for a 0-0 draw with defending champions APR FC in a highly competitive Rwanda Premier League (RPL) derby on Saturday, December 7 at Amahoro Stadium. Barely two hours to the kick-off, the 45,000-seater stadium was already packed with fans clad in their respective teams’ colours, chanting loudly to showcase their support. When referee Moise Mulindangabo blew the opening whistle, it was Rayon Sports who got the proceedings underway, though they lost the ball immediately to APR, thanks to an interception made by the army side's defensive midfielder Taddeo Lwanga. After winning possession, Lwanga was immediately fouled by Rayon’s Richard Ndayishimiye, though the resultant free kick was missed by Ramadan Niyibizi. The first chance of the game fell to Rayon Sports’ striker Fall Ngagne in the fifth minute as he latched onto a through ball from Hakim Bugingo on the left. He attempted a shot at APR's goal, but it fell into the arms of APR’s shot-stopper Pavelh Ndzila. ALSO READ: D-day: Rayon welcomes APR in high stakes derby An even bigger chance fell to the Blues in the 18th minute as Ngagne collected a nice pass from Olivier Niyonzima. The Senegalese striker shot wide, with goalkeeper Ndzila at his mercy. APR responded a minute later as they pushed their way towards Rayon’s goal. In the process, Lamine Bah was brought down at the edge of Rayon’s penalty box. Ramadhan Niyibizi took the resultant free kick but it hit the post. In the 24th minute, there was a standing ovation by the fans at the stadium to thank President Paul Kagame for the refurbishment of Amahoro Stadium. At the half-hour mark, Rayon’s right back Fitina Omborenga made an overlapping run on the right wing and delivered a pinpoint cross into the APR’s penalty box but Ngagne's header was saved by Ndzila. Eight minutes later, APR missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock. Mamadou Sy stripped Youssou Diagne of the ball but his shot inside the penalty box was saved by Rayon’s Khadime Ndiaye, before the rebound was blocked by Nsabimana. APR’s left winger Gilbert Mugisha was shown a yellow card in the 43rd minute following a foul on Omborenga Fitina. The first half ended with the scores at 0-0 as both teams missed their chances. The second half began at a fast pace as each of the teams played attacking football. APR had a free kick in the 50th minute after Omborenga fouled Bah but Gilbert Mugisha's delivery was off the target. Two minutes later, Olivier Dushimimana blew a chance to put APR ahead, after his header off Gilbert Mugisha’s cross inside the box went over the bar. Niyibizi attracted a yellow card in the 55th minute for pulling the shirt of Kevin Muhire who was on the verge of launching a counter attack. APR’s coach made two changes in the 63rd minute, bringing Arsene Tuyisenge and Jean Bosco Ruboneka for Mamadou Sy and Olivier Dushimimana respectively. Taddeo Lwanga was booked in the 66th minute for a foul on Rayon Sports’ skipper Kevin Muhire. The free kick from Hakim Bugingo hit the wall and the danger was cleared. APR's assistant coach Dragan Sarac and Rayon team manager Fidele Mutyanama were all booked in the 70th minute for questioning the assistant referee. As the game went on, Omborenga was struggling with the pace, and Rayon’s coach Robertinho pulled him off for Ali Serumogo while Adama Bagayoko also came in for Iraguha Hadji in the 77th minute. Rayon were awarded a free kick at the edge of APR’s penalty box in the 80th minute after Clement Niyigena handled the ball in an attempt to clear a cross. He was shown a yellow card, but the resultant free kick by Bugingo hit the wall and was cleared. APR made their last change of the game in the 87th minute as Johnson Nwobodo Chidebere came in for Lamine Bah whereas Rayon also brought on Junior Elenga for Aziz Bassane in the 88th minute. After the 90 minutes had elapsed, there were 3 minutes of added time.There were further yellow cards for Richard Ndayishimiye and Gilbert Byiringiro for fouls in the dying minutes of the game. The game ended with the scores as 0-0 as both teams missed good goal scoring chances.
