Mukura top at New Year

Yesterday Kiyovu 1-1 Rayon Police 3-0 AS KigaliNyanza 1-2 Mukura Espoir 1-1 MarinesEtincelles 1-2 La Jeunesse Playing today Amagaju vs APR 3:30pm SOUTHERN Province side Mukura Victory Sports march into the New Year sitting at the top of the Primus National Football League (PNFL). Having avoided relegation by the thread last season, Mukura snatched a 2-1 win away to neighbours Nyanza in one of five matches played across the country yesterday. Corneille Murwanashyaka and Nasser Irakoze scored goals for Huye based side. The win takes the Huye side to 20 points after nine rounds of matches played this season. However, Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu failed to close the gap on the leaders after their much anticipated clash played at Amahoro national stadium ended a 1-all draw. After a scoreless first half, midfielder Djabir Mutarambirwa put Kiyovu ahead on the 54th minute, and Jean Bapiste Kayiranga’s side looked as if strolling to three priceless points until the 90th minute when veteran striker Said Abedi Makasi netted the equalizer for the Blues. The game was full of endeavour but lacked clear cut scoring chances on both sides as each team employed a cautious approach. Labama Bokota and Jerome Sina were particularly wasteful in front goal for Jean Marie Ntagwabira’s side, which is viewed by many, at the start of the season as the team to push APR for the title. An ineffective Burundian winger Fuadi Ndayisaba was denied by the woodwork as Rayon pushed forward in search for an equalizer before he was replaced by Jamal Mwiseneza. But it was second half substitute Makasi, who came on for Mbany Ndayisenge rewarded Ntagwabira’s faith when he profited from some clumsy defending in Kiyovu backline. Simon Nyamugenda failed to clear seemingly harmless ball and the former professional tapped in from close rage much to the delight of thousands of Blues faithful who flocked Amohor stadium for the evening clash. The draw put Rayon in third position level on 15 points with Etincelles, who suffered a shock 1-2 loss to visiting side La Jeunesse at Umuganda stadium. Police FC moved to with two points of the leaders with a comfortable 3-0 win over AS Kigali at Mumena stadium. League top goal scorer Meddie Kagere scored his seventh goal of the season, while Fabrice Twagizimana and Jacques Tuyisenge scored the other two goals. In Rusizi, Espoir was held to a 1-all draw by Marines. League action continues this afternoon with the champions APR playing away to Amagaju in Nyamagabe. A win for the military will not change anything on the leadership of the league standings but they will move above Rayon into third place. bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw