Mukura Victory Sports and Rayon Sports settled for a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled 2024/25 Rwanda Peace Cup semifinals first leg encounter at Huye Stadium on Tuesday. Striker Agyenim Boateng Mensah equalized for Lofti Afahmia’s side eight minutes after Abbedy Biramahire opened the scoring for the visitors in a game that resumed in the 22nd minute just a week after it was called off due to power outage. The draw means that Mukura haven’t lost to Rayon in their last three meetings this season as the former won both matches in the league. It was a fair result for interim coach Claude Rwaka who is yet to taste a defeat since taking over the Blues after the club suspended head coach Robertinho due to a string of poor results. In his first match on the touchline, Rayon beat Muhazi United 2-0 in a league game on Saturday. ALSO READ: Oladosu'sstrike sinks Rayon in major title blow Rayon Sports started the game brightly as they tried to move the ball in quick transition into the Mukura vital area. The visitors relied on winger Junior Elenga who was a delight to watch on the left flank. But Mukura gradually took control as they pinned the Rayon into their own half. Destin Malanda and Boateng Mensah combined beautifully and created some chances but were unable to put the ball at the back of the net. On the other side, Mukura VS defender was also kept busy with Abdul Jalilu, who played in the middle of the back three, putting the brakes on Abeddy Biramahire who was so close to open the scoring in the 40th minute. After recess, Aziz Bassane replaced Elenga and the winger set up the opener for Biramahire in the 58th minute. The goal gingered Mukura Victory Sports who totally took control with Boateng Mensah running the show. The Ghanaian forward fired home an equalizer in the 66th minute as he outclassed the Rayon defenders. Lofti pushed more men forward as Mukura pushed for a match winner but Rayon opted for a more defensive approach as they held on to a 1-1 draw. The return leg is scheduled for Kigali Pele Stadium on April 30. The winner over the two legs will lock horns with either Police FC or APR in the finals who also played out a 1-1 draw at Kigali Pele Stadium on April 15.
