AS Kigali moved back to the top of the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier table after a convincing 3-0 win over strugglers Marines FC on Saturday at Bugesera Stadium. Substitute Moise Nyarugabo was the hero of the day as he set up two goals in the exciting 3-0 win. The game started at a slow pace as both sides showed no sense of urgency in the first quarter of the game. AS Kigali later came strongly into the game with new signing Jibrine Abubakar Akuki, who was playing in an unfamiliar central midfield position, spraying passes to all corners of the field. The City of Kigali-sponsored side broke the deadlock after 27 minutes through an unmarked Felix Kone Lottin who headed in an in-swinger from Shabani Hussein’s cross after the Burundian had received a delightful pass from Jibrine. AS Kigali's goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari had a quiet afternoon in as the visitors’ attack led by Arthur Gitego failed to get the needed services from midfield. Shabani Hussein and Man Ykre combined beautifully to set up Kone in the 39th minute but his effort went off target to the relief of Marines goalkeeper Heritier Ahishakiye. The first half ended with AS Kigali on top and leading by a lone goal. The second half started with Marines exerting their influence in midfield with the introduction of Keddy Nsanzimfura. The youngster, who is on loan from APR, seized the midfield with sheer brilliance as the AS Kigali players failed to contain him. Gitego, who was having a quiet day, paved way for substitute Desire Mugisha in the 58th minute as Marines FC was pushing to re-strategize. Nsanzimfura nearly netted the equalizer for Marines FC in the 70th minute after creating space but saw his superb strike saved by Ntwari. AS Kigali nearly doubled the lead in the 78th but Dennis Rukundo hit the cross bar with a blistering strike before striker Shabani Hissein fumbled with the rebound and shot it wide under no pressure. The home team, finally got their second goal in the 84th minute as Moise Nyarugabo set up fellow substitute Jacques Tuyisenge who hit a shot to the roof of the net from the 18-yard box. Shabani Hussein added his league goal tally after he was set up by Nyarugabo to score the third goal in the 94th minute only for the Burundian to bundle in across a cross from the right in a crucial win that saw AS Kigali reclaim top spot on the league table. Elsewhere, Espoir FC again lost 1-0 at home to visitors Rwamagana City FC with the defeat piling more misery on the hosts.
