Al Hilal crush AS Kigali as Al Merrikh struggle on rain-hit Muhanga pitch

Monday, December 29 Al Hilal 4-2 AS Kigali AS Muhanga 0-0 Al Merrikh Al Hilal survived an early scare from AS Kigali as they came from a goal down to secure a 4–2 victory at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Monday, December 29. Laurentiu Reghecampf’s side absorbed intense pressure from the Citizens before mounting a comeback to claim their fifth Rwanda Premier League win of the season. It was their second successive league victory after a difficult period caused by the absence of 11 key players who joined their respective national teams for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. AS Kigali controlled much of the first half and took the lead in the 39th minute when Osée Iyabivuze found the net to put Shabani Mbarushimana’s side 1–0 ahead. However, Al Hilal responded quickly as Adama Coulibali headed home an equaliser three minutes later, sending both teams into the halftime break level at 1–1. Things went wrong for AS Kigali in the second half when Al Hilal scored two quick-fire goals through Ernest Luzolo in the 65th minute and Emmanuel Flomo in the 71st minute to take control of the match. AS Kigali reduced the deficit to 3–2 in the 87th minute through Serge Kabanda, but Al Hilal ended any hopes of a comeback when Flomo scored his second goal of the game—and the fourth for his team—in the 89th minute to seal the 4–2 win. The victory moved Al Hilal to 17 points from nine matches, with five games still in hand. AS Kigali remained 15th on the table with 12 points. Meanwhile, AS Muhanga held Al Merrikh to a goalless draw at Muhanga Stadium, bringing Darko Novic’s side’s seven-match winning streak to an end. The match was briefly interrupted due to poor weather conditions, as referee Celestin Nsabimana ordered a temporary stoppage before the start of the second half after the pitch became waterlogged. Both teams created few clear-cut chances, and neither managed to break the deadlock as the game ended scoreless. Despite having played three matches fewer, Al Merrikh remained third with 25 points, four behind league leaders Police FC, while AS Muhanga stayed bottom of the standings with 12 points.

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Al Hilal crush AS Kigali as Al Merrikh struggle on rain-hit Muhanga pitch