Mulisa calls for more focus as APR go joint top

Sunday SC Kiyovu 0-1 APR FCMusanze 1-0 MarinesSunrise FC 0-0 Amagaju SaturdayAS Kigali 4-2 Kirehe FCEspoir FC 3-0 PepinierePolice FC 2-0 EtincellesGicumbi 1-2 Bugesera FridayMukura 1-1 Rayon Sports Reigning champions APR FC defeated SC Kiyovu 1-0 in the national league match-day 9 on Sunday at Kigali Regional Stadium to join archrivals Rayon Sport at the top of the table. In the wake of the win, Jimmy Mulisa, the APR FC coach called for consistency from his players. “This is a crucial win that we really wanted, and I am grateful to my players for the win because Kiyovu were very aggressive, especially in the second half, but we defended very well,” said Mulisa in a post-match interview The former APR forward further noted that; “We are reaching the most crucial stage where we need total focus. The title race has now begun; we have to defend our title, so winning games like today’s, is very crucial.” Kiyovu came into the game hoping to end an 11-year winless run against the army side since the 2-1 victory in 2005, but it wasn’t to be as the defending champions came out on top, thanks to a 34th strike from midfielder, Patrick Sibomana. APR were reduced to ten men in the third minute of stoppage time after midfielder Yannick Mukunzi was shown a straight red for a bad tackle on Kiyovu playmaker, Djuma Nizeyimana. The youthful Kiyovu side dominated much of the second half as they searched for an equalizer, but it could not come as they suffered a fourth defeat of the season. Kiyovu coach, Aloys Kanamugire, said despite the loss, this was his team’s best game in terms of performance. The Mumena-based side have won three, drawn two and lost four of their nine matches this season. The ex-Amavubi player said, “I am happy with our performance today, we dominated and created numerous chances but we failed to score, my players tried their best against the best team in the league,” he disclosed. “Today, despite losing, was the best performance that we have played this season, I couldn’t ask for more from my players, everyone played their best but unfortunately, it has not good enough to win the game,” Kanamugire explained. The win took APR FC joint top with Rayon Sport, who drew 1-1 with Mukura in Huye on Friday. The two teams have 23 points, but Djuma Masudi’s Blues still lead the league table thanks to their superior goal difference. Elsewhere on Sunday, Musanze FC edged Marines 1-0 at Nyakinama ground courtesy of Peter Otema’s goal, while Sunrise and Amagaju settled for a goalless draw in Nyagatare. Police FC remained in third place with 20 points following their 2-0 win over Etincelles at Kicukiro stadium on Saturday while unbeaten Espoir maintained their grip on fourth spot with 19 points after hammering bottom side Pepiniere 3-0 in Rusizi. Fifth-place AS Kigali (16 points) registered a 4-2 win over Kirehe FC on Saturday courtesy of a hat trick from striker Emmanuel Sebanani while Hamidou Ndayisaba netted the other. Kirehe’s goals were scored by Hassan Habimana and Tresor Muhoza. League table Team PD W D L Pts Rayon Sports 9 7 2 0 23APR FC 9 7 2 0 23Police FC 9 6 2 1 20Espoir 9 5 4 0 19AS Kigali 8 5 1 2 16Bugesera 9 4 3 2 15Sunrise 9 3 3 3 12Etincelles 9 4 0 5 12Kirehe FC 9 3 2 4 11SC Kiyovu 9 3 2 4 11Musanze 9 3 2 4 11Mukura 8 2 3 3 9Amagaju 9 1 2 6 5Marines 9 1 2 6 5Gicumbi 9 1 1 7 4Pepiniere 9 0 1 8 1 editorial@newtimes.co.rw