Etincelles FC did magic at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with APR FC in a Rwanda Premier League week 24 game. Burkinabe striker Djibril Ouattara scored a brace to put APR ahead before halftime before Hussein Nsabimana and Djabilu Ishimwe tied the pulsating encounter as Etincelles completed a comeback draw in Kigali. The draw saw APR drop to second place on the table with 49 points, trailing Rayon Sports who retained the top spot with 50 points. Darko Novic’s side started brilliantly and took the lead after just eight minutes of action. Etincelles defender Hussein Nsabimana tripped Ouatarra inside the box as referee Dieudonne Ngabonziza pointed to the penalty which the Burkinabe striker stepped up and beautifully sent goalkeeper Moise Nishimwe the wrong way to make it 1-0. APR had since controlled the game with the central midfield partnership of Ismail Nshimirimana and Bosco Ruboneka dictating the pace of the game. Etincelles launched a swift counter attack in the 25th minute through Sadjat Niyonkuru and Robert Mukoghotya. The latter was brought down and a free kick was awarded to the visitors. Mukoghotya hit a stinging drive from 30 yards; goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe spilled the ball but there was no one to connect the rebound as the chance was wasted. APR made their first substitution in the 28th minute as Aliou Souane came in for Yunusu Nshimiyimana who seemed to have taken a knock. Etincelles retreated into their shells as APR took advantage by dominating ball possession. After 45 minutes had elapsed, there was 3 minutes of time added on. APR doubled the lead in the 45+1 minute through an unmarked Ouatarra who superbly headed home Bosco Ruboneka’s corner onto the roof of the net. Novic brought on Richmond Lamptey for Lamine Bah at the start of the second half as he sought to bring more creativity into the midfield. ALSO READ: Rayon reclaim top spot after victory over Muhazi United Etincelles had the first chance of the second half in the 50th minute. Midfielder Fabrice Kakule Mugheni engineered space for himself before hitting a short from 25 yards which was saved by Ishimwe. Innocent Seninga's side had a penalty in the 55th after an infringement in the APR penalty box. Nsabimana excellently slotted the ball home to make it 2-1. APR made double substitution in the 64th minute as Novic brought on Victor Mbaoma and Gilbert Mugisha for Mamadou Sy and Arsene Tuyisenge while Hakim Kiwanuka also came on for goal scorer Ouatarra in the 70th minute. Etincelles piled pressure on APR defense led by Clement Niyigena as the visitors pushed for an equalizer which they successfully scored through forward Djalilu Ishimwe in the 79th minute. The Etincelles forward capitalized on a defensive mishap to slot the ball past an on rushing Ishimwe to make it 2-2. There was six minutes of additional time but APR couldn’t capitalize on them to score a winner as Etincelles held on to get a hard fought draw. The draw immediately had an impact on the table as APR dropped to second on the table with 49 points, a point shy of Rayon Sports returned to the top after beating Muhazi United at Ngoma Stadium on Saturday, April 19. Etincelles have also climbed to 8th place with 29 points, overtaking Amagaju FC who dropped to 9th place after losing 2-1 to AS Kigali. Elsewhere, Rutsiro FC climbed to fourth place after coming from 2-0 down to beat Bugesera FC 4-2 at Umuganda Stadium.
