The Week 19 of the 2024/25 Rwanda Premier League left the title race wide open with the highlight-anticipated derby between APR FC and Rayon Sports now having a say on who will lead the table after the 20th match day. Last weekend’s match day produced 20 goals across the league centres. Rayon Sports faltered at home against Gasogi United as APR closed the gap to just within 2 points after beating Police FC 3-1 on Sunday. Times Sport takes a look at five things we learnt from week 19. Rayon struggling without Muhire, Ngagne Pressure is mounting on Robertinho whose Blues continue to struggle for form since the beginning of the second round of the league campaign. Rayon Sports are missing two of their best players in skipper Kevin Muhire and striker Fall Ngagne who is out for six months. While Muhire may return against APR this weekend, he was dearly missed in the draw with Gasogi United. Rayon needed someone who can open up play and find Abedi Biramahire but they didn't get. Coach Robertinho is trying to use Rahman Rukundo in that position but he is not clicking. Again ,Biramahire was slow to react a host of times and chances were missed. Unpredictable Mukura and Amagaju FC After beating APR the previous weekend, Mukura Victory Sports went to Rubavu and were hammered 3-1 by Marines FC. The Huye-based side plays well against big teams this season but they have been struggling to cope with smaller teams. They have conceded 9 goals and scored only once in their three trips to Rubavu this season. Amagaju, on the other hand, after holding Rayon to two draws this season, stayed at home and lost 1-0 to Bugesera. The two teams must avoid complacency and raise their game against the smaller teams. Ouattara bringing APR back to their prime time At the start of the season, APR’s attacking department looked below standards but they are gradually getting back to their best in the second round. The arrival of Burkinabe striker Djibril Ouattara has brought more bite to the club’s attack as they are now firing from all angles. Moreover, it has brought competition to Mamadou Sy who has also been showing signs of improvement. Muhazi United end Etincelles fairytale story Etincelles were unbeaten in four games under Innocent Seninga in the second round until Muhazi United beat them 1-0 at Ngoma Syadium on Saturday. The Rwamagana-based side has also won their last 3 games and they are gradually improving as they have moved to 12th on the table with 22 points. There is just a point separating Etincelles and Muhazi United. ALSO READ: APR hit three past Police to close gap on Rayon Kiyovu show resilience as relegation battle takes shape Kiyovu Sports showed character and resilience as they came from a goal down to beat Gorilla FC 3-1 on Saturday. Only a few teams survive against Gorilla FC but Kiyovu showed that form is temporal but class is permanent. With 10 games to the end of the season, if Kiyovu can put up a similar performance in their subsequent games, they can escape relegation.
