It was a keenly-contested weekend of Rwanda Premier League whose week 28 games produced mixed results that football fans of various teams either cheered on or found too difficult to digest. Gorilla FC stunned Rayon Sports 3-1 on Sunday at Kigali Pele Stadium to blow the latter’s title ambitions whereas Musanze turned green after high flying Kiyovu ’s 1-0 victory at Ubworoherane Stadium put them in pole position to win their first league title in 30 years. In all, 17 goals were scored over the weekend with Gorilla and Kiyovu being the only clubs which recorded an away win. Times Sport brings you five things we learnt from the action-packed Rwanda Premier League. Is it finally coming home for Kiyovu? It has been 30 long years since Kiyovu Sports last won the league title. The majority of the current squad players were not even born. The Green Baggies, under then coach Francis Haringingo, were so close to ending their title jinx during the 2022/23 season but they fizzled out at the last minute as APR won the title with a one-point margin. The team is again enjoying yet another spectacular season under new coach Alain-André Landeut. The Mumena-based club never looked back since taking the lead a couple of weeks ago. They are now brimming with confidence as they have won crucial away matches including last Sunday's 1-0 victory over Musanze. As their skipper Yves Kimenyi stated, they want to title the title for their loyal fans and reunite again after they let them down last season. Rayon can only blame themselves No one saw this coming, Rayon's game against Gorilla was expected to be an easy fixture for the Blues but they ended up being thrashed 3-1 despite taking an early lead. Now, it seems the club’s hope of winning the title for the first time since the 2018/19 season has come to a shocking end. Winning it would only be down to football miracles. Coach Francis Haringingo is now under intense pressure from angry fans who are already calling him, and the club management, to step down after failing to deliver in the league’s decisive stage. The Burundian should probably switch his full attention to the Peace Cup and win it to keep the hot seat in safe hands. Nshimirimana scores fastest goal of the season Midfielder Ismail Nshimirimana scored arguably the fastest goal of the Rwanda Premier League campaign when Kiyovu SC beat against Musanze at Ubworoherane Stadium on Sunday. It took the Burundian just 39 seconds to net a fabulous goal which proved to be the match winner. Nshimirimana has been arguably the best central midfielder in the league this season with superb displays. He has found the back of the net four times so far this season including a spectacular volley against Rayon Sports. Nshimiyimana struggling to fix Bugesera woes Eric Nshimiyimana was appointed as Bugesera FC coach on January 26, 2023, replacing Etienne Ndayiragije who was fired for poor performance. The former Rwanda international has, since his appointment, won just two games, drawn four and lost five times. The Nyamata-based club is currently not safe from relegation as they are 13th on the table with 30 points from 28 games. Bugesera were far from impressive against Marines last Saturday as they lost 1-0 and Nshimiyimana looks like he is running out of solutions to bring the team back to winning ways. He will need to pull some magic in the final two games against Etincelles and AS Kigali to help them avoid relegation. APR are winning but...not convincing You may not write them off the title until the last minute, but APR’s fear factor has vanished as opposing side come into the match as underdogs but quickly prove themselves as favorites to win the match. APR have conceded seven goals in their last seven games, a proof of how much the teams have shown fear against an army side whose ball possession has dropped since Moroccan coach Adil Mohamed Erradi left the club in November last year. Against relegated Espoir, APR led by 2-0 before allowing the Rusizi club to net a consolation and seeking an equalizer in the dying minutes only for the referee to blow the full time whistle to their relief. APR are still in the title race but they must change recharge their batteries if they are to end the season in an electric fashion, then the title would come their way as long as Kiyovu falter.
