Gasogi United forced APR FC to a goalless draw in a Rwanda Premier League week 21 encounter held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Friday, March 14. The draw was a major setback for under fire Darko Novic and his side as a win for Rayon Sports ahead of their clash against city rivals AS Kigali on Saturday would see them go four points clear at the top. Generally, it was an intense game during which either team created decent goalscoring opportunities only to fail to capitalize on them. Gasogi were without right-back Marc Govin Nshimiyimana as well as striker Serge Kabanda who have all been suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons. APR head coach Darko Novic, yet again, was not stable with his lineup as Ghanaian midfielder Seidu Dauda returned to the starting 11, after starting on the bench during the past four games. Lamine Bah was also not in the match day squad for unknown reasons. The first half saw Gasogi threatening in attack through Hakim Hamis and Guy Nkono. The APR defence, marshaled around Clement Niyigena, tidied up the back as they cleared all the dangerous balls to prevent Pierre Ishimwe from conceding a goal. APR, on the other hand, relied on the services of their front three of Denis Omedi, Hakim Kiwanuka and Djibril Ouatarra but Gasogi defenders were so compact that the trio rarely found enough room to operate. Gasogi had a call for a penalty ruled out by the referee in the 40th minute after Guy Nkono was brought down. Shortly later, Dauda found Omedi with a superb ball on the left but his strike missed the post by inches. APR charged on Gasogi in the second half but goalkeeper Dauda Baleri made a series of descent saves to keep his side in the game. Also Read: Was Mbaoma a one-season wonder? Gasogi’s Hakim Hamis could have broken the deadlock in the 64th minute but he fluffed his chance with goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe at his mercy. Both teams held on to a 0-0 draw in the crunch encounter. In an earlier fixture, Gorilla FC booked the third place after beating Muhazi United 2-0 at Kigali Pele Stadium. Landry Ndikumana and Frank Nduwimana scored in either half to power the team to victory in a match which produced a few chances. Gorilla FC could make good use of a few chances they had to bag the three points.
