Mukura Victory Sports has proven to be a hard nut to crack for top teams in the Rwanda Premier League (RPL) during the 2024/25 season. The Huye-based club has been in impressive form, particularly against the league’s heavyweights, making them look surprisingly ordinary. ALSO READ: Oladosu'sstrike sinks Rayon in major title blow The team secured victories over APR and Police, in addition to staying unbeaten in all its three encounters with Rayon Sports. They defeated Rayon 2-1 and 1-0 in their league meetings, and battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Peace Cup semi-finals on Tuesday, April 22. Rayon took the lead in the 58th minute, but Mukura responded swiftly, equalising in the 66th minute through Boateng Mensah. Mukura almost snatched a late winner, but Rayon’s goalkeeper, Patient Niyonkuru, made a brilliant point-blank save to deny Mensah a brace. The Yellow and Blacks are not new to coming to the party when the stakes are high. In 2022, they ended APR'S 50 game unbeaten run at Kigali Pele Stadium, and three years later, they ended Rayon Sports 14-game unbeaten run and went on to complete a double over the Blues. A look at Mukura Victory Sports’ team Though Mukura is a modest club that cannot flex its financial muscle like APR, Police, Rayon Sports, or AS Kigali, it is still able to bring enough quality players who were high on the radar of some of the top teams on the continent. Mukura brought in striker Boateng Mensah and centre back Abdul Jalilu from Ghana Premier League side Dreams FC. Jalilu who was the captain of the Ghanaian side together with his team mate Boateng were instrumental as Dreams FC reached the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals. ALSO READ: Peace Cup Semis: Mukura VS, Rayon share spoils in Huye South African side Supers-ports United were on the heels of Jalilu for his signature, while Egyptian outfit Ismaily wanted Boateng but Mukura were able to swoop for the duo. Again, Burundian Premier League best player for 2023/2024 Fred Niyonizeye was on his way to join Rayon Sports but Mukura gate-crashed the deal and took him away. They also signed Congolese midfielder Jordan Dimbumba from Etincelles. These are experienced and hugely talented players. Mukura Victory Sports managing director Protais Musoni did a great job by getting all these talents to sign for the club. The team lost a host of players including Alexis Ngirimana and Soter Kayumba but it seems not affected by them. In January, Mukura also brought in Nigerian player Samson Oladosu and Amagaju's Congolese attacker Destin Malanda to even make the team stronger. Mukura tormenting Rayon and other big teams Mukura has proven to be a tough test for the league’s top sides, especially Rayon Sports. In their three encounters this season, with nine points up for grabs, the Huye-based club has claimed two wins and one draw. Rayon is still searching for their first victory over Mukura this season. For players who have played continental games including matches at the 75,000-seater Cairo International Stadium against giants like Zamalek, there is no cause for alarm as they have seen it all on bigger platforms. The fear that players and teams have when playing against Rayon Sports because of their huge fan turn-up at stadiums does not affect them as much. They have seen much more than that. ALSO READ: Mukura escape forfeit as FA orders replay vs Rayon Again, in player comparison, you can argue that Mukura can match Rayon on any day. You can even say that a host of the players of Mukura are better than Rayon’s. Rayon may have the name as a big team but Mukura might be the team with the best talents. Tactical approach by coaches Coach Afahmia Lotfi has switched from the 4-3-3 he was using in the 2023/24 season to a 3-5-2 formation. He does not use natural wingers that is why players such as Elie Tatou are not getting playing time. His formation seems to be working as he is able to dominate the big teams. Rayon under Robertinho were playing 4-2-3-1 but interim coach Claude Rwaka is trying to implement a 4-3-3 formation. One final game ahead against Rayon Rayon will host Mukura Victory Sports at Huye Stadium in the second leg of the Peace Cup semi-finals game on May 30. The Blues will be aiming to go all out for a win but Mukura Victory Sports still look favourites to sail through. They have players who barely panic under pressure and can get the job done especially away from home against a big team.
