Rayon Sports recorded a goalless draw against title rivals APR FC in Sunday’s derby to maintain their top spot in the Rwanda Premier League. The derby, held at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday afternoon left the Blues at the summit of the table, easing pressure from APR in the title race. Robertinho’s Rayon dominated the game and remained the better side despite failing to find the back of the net. The league leaders pinned APR to their own half for the majority of the game as the army side struggled to cope with the tempo of the encounter. The first chance of the game fell to Lamine Bah in inside four minutes from kick-off. Bosco Ruboneka went on a run through the middle and found him with a sublime pass but his shot flew over the bar to the relief of the Blues fans. APR were looking so swift on the break as they switched from the left flank to the right with the ball. Lamine Bah was left unmarked as he whipped in a delightful cross in the 9th minute but Djibril Ouatarra's header narrowly missed the target. Rayon's first chance of the game came in the 14th minute when Abdul Rahman Rukundo engineered space in midfield and hit a grounder from 30 yards which missed the post by inches. Hakim Kiwanuaka forced a fine save from goalkeeper Khadime Ndiaye in the 19th minute as APR continued to pile pressure on the visitors. But the Senegalese was having a perfect afternoon in the posts. Rayon skipper Kevin Muhire flicked a delightful ball past Gilbert Byiringiro and was brought down in the 23rd minute. Referee Claude Ishimwe awarded a free kick but goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe punched it out. Muhire again went past Gilbert Byiringiro in the 25th minute before going down inside the penalty box. The midfield talisman thought referee Ishimwe would blow the whistle for a penalty, only to wave for play to continue. Rayon started winning more balls into APR’s half as the former used the artistry of skipper Muhire and the tenacity of Richard Ndayishimiye to great effect. The duo majestically controlled the game. ALSO READ: APR vs Rayon: Five players who could decide the derby Abdul Rahman Rukundo could have shot Rayon ahead in the 30th minute. He received a fine cross from Omborenga Fitina, dribbled past APR shot stopper Pierre Ishimwe but failed to shoot as he brought the ball back and the chance was wasted. APR also had a claim for penalty ignored after Ouatarra was brought down in the penalty box by Youssou Diagne in the 31st minute. It was an end-to-end affair as Rayon came strongly into the game. Rukundo missed another fine chance to give Rayon Sports the lead in the 37th minute as he went for a volley rather than a simple tap-in after a precise cross from Hadji Iraguha on the right. APR initiated a counter attack in the 43rd minute as Ruboneka found Denis Omedi with a pass. His strike flashed across the phase of goal for a goal kick. Ishimwe showed Clement Niyigena the first yellow card a minute later for bringing down Muhire. After the 45 minutes had elapsed, there were 2 minutes of injury time as both teams went to half time with a 0-0 scoreline. Each of the rivals returned to the game in the second half looking much sharper as they tried create space and move forward to either half. Souleymane Daffe received a yellow card in the 49th minute for pulling down Omedi after he was played through by Ruboneka. Robertinho brought on Omar Gning for Daffe who limped off after suffering an injury in the 56th minute. APR also made tactical substitutions, bringing on Seidu Dauda and Gilbert Mugisha for Hakim Kiwanuaka and Lamine Bah respectively. Aziz Bassane also replaced Abeddy Biramahire in the 60th minute as Rayon sought to add fresh blood in attack. Thee minuted later, APR coach Darko Novic introduced Mamadou Sy for Ouatarra as he sought fresh legs to lead the attack. Substitute Gilbert Mugisha went past Omborenga Fitina before hitting a fine effort but it went over the bar as the winger cursed his starts for the missed chance. Ismail Pitchou Nshimirimana received a yellow card in the 80th as he deliberately tripped Muhire who was on his way to launch a counterattack. Rayon Sports brought on Adama Bagayogo for Abdul Rahman Rukundo in the 81st minute whereas APR also made doubles substitution, bringing on Ramadhan Niyibizi and Alain Kwitonda Bacca for Nshimirimana and Omedi. Dauda lost the ball in midfield in the 85th minute as attempted to dribble. Bassane, Ndayishimiye picked the ball and set up Bassane whose strike missed the target narrowly. The score was 0-0 until 90 minutes of regulation time ended. There were 5 minutes of injury time as APR FC pushed for a late winner but Rayon held on to the 0-0 draw. The Blues remain on top of the league table with 43 points while APR stay in second place with 41.
