It was an intriguing Rwanda Premier League match day 18 as three games ended level while APR maintained their position at the top of the table after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sunrise FC in Nyagatare. AS Kigali, on the other hand, tasted their second defeat in a row after Police FC came from behind to beat them 2-1. Times Sport takes a look at six things we learnt from the Week 18 games. Niyigena becoming APR’s defensive rock The APR central defender is in the form of his life under the white and black colors and only a few or none would argue that he is the best defender in the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier League so far this season. After his heroics against Kiyovu in which he scored the match winner during APR’s a 3-2 victory, Niyigena was at his best again as he kept Yafesi Mubiru and strike partner Samson Babuwa at bay to help APR beat Sunrise FC 1-0 on Friday in Nyagatare and take home maximum points. Only Adel can revive Musanze’s confidence Musanze appointed Ahmed Abdel Rahman Adel as their new head coach on February 3 days after the club and Frank Ouna, who was on a medical leave in Kenya since November, decided to officially part ways on mutual consent. The Northern Province-based team struggled in Ouna’s absence and the onus lies on Adel to bring them back to winning ways. In the first game of the Egyptian, Musanze created decent chances against Etincelles but failed to convert them as the pair was tied with a goalless draw. The former Gasogi tactician has a tough task to make sure that his players regain confidence and self-belief if they are to get better results in future fixtures. Etincelles’ impeccable form continues The Rubavu-based club are unbeaten in their last eight league outings, having last tasted a defeat during their shock 3-0 derby loss to Marines FC on November 20 last year. Their fantastic form continued over the weekend as they managed a barren draw against Musanze at Ubworoherane Stadium. Etincelles are now sixth on the league table with 30 points from 18 league games. Nsanzimfura carrying Marines on his shoulders Since joining Marines on loan from APR at the beginning of the second round of the league, the young midfielder has shown that he has what it takes to carry the team out of the relegation zone. He put up an extraordinary performance on Sunday as Marines returned to winning ways when they beat Rwamagana City 3-2 at Umuganda Stadium. If Nsanzimfura gets the needed support from his teammates, Marines could soon find themselves in relegation safety. AS Kigali letting things slip out of hands Andre Casa Mbungo’s men were leading the league table before the first round of the league came to an end and, while many thought that they would continue the momentum in the second round, the club is only showing signs of slowing down only for APR to take advantage of their slip to go top of the table. AS Kigali looke a different side since the beginning of the second round of the league, winning just once out of the last three games as they beat Marines 3-0, before suffering two consecutive defeats in a process. They lost 1-0 to Rwamagana City and on Saturday, they allowed Police FC to come from behind and beat them 2-1. The club as a result dropped to third on the league table with 33 points and find themselves trailing leaders APR by four points. Are Gasogi a threat to APR’s title ambitions? Gasogi seems to be the real threat to APR's title ambitions this season as they now sit second on the table with 35 points from 18 games. The club has been playing with so much confidence since the arrival of Ugandan tactician Paul Kiwanuka who imposed a high-pressing game no matter who the opponent may be. Kiwanuka’s men also play with a ‘never give up’ mentality even if they are down. That made a sensational comeback to beat Gorilla 2-1 at the Bugesera Stadium on Saturday, February 4 with Theodore Malipangou netting a 93rd minute winner. APR are watching behind their shoulders with the club not ready to surrender the title race.
