Espoir stun Rayon, APR edge closer to league title

Thursday APR 2-0 Etincelles Espoir 2-0 Rayon Sports Amagaju 1-1 Marines Mukura 0-2 AS Kigali Sunrise 0-3 Musanze Gicumbi 2-0 Miroplast Kirehe 2-0 Bugesera Police 2-1 SC Kiyovu APR FC have closed in on the 2017/2018 Azam Rwanda Premier League title after securing a 2-0 win over Etincelles yesterday at Amahoro National Stadium. The military side edged closer to winning a record-extending league title, thanks to first-half goals from center-back Aimable Nsabimana and midfielder Muhadjir Hakizimana. The in-form Nsabimana put the hosts ahead five minutes into the game courtesy of a magnificent assist inside the box from Andrew Buteera. It was the defender’s fifth goal this season. When the Rubavu-based Etincelles gained momentum and with everyone thinking they would cancel out APR’s lead, former Mukura VS’s star playmaker Hakizimana sunk the visitors deeper, with a spectacular long range strike from 50 yards, on the 22nd minute. After the goal, Rwanda international Hakizimana is now the league’s joint top-scorer with 12 goals, along with AS Kigali’s Jean Claude Ndarusanze. With all matches being played at the same time, hopefuls AS Kigali also defeated Mukura 2-0 at Huye Stadium. Burundian forward Emmanuel Ngama netted a brace. With both clubs winning their respective matches, the league title winner was left to be determined on June 24 when APR host Gicumbi at Amahoro National Stadium and AS Kigali playing Amagaju at Kigali Stadium. Regardless of the outcome between AS Kigali and Amagaju, a victory for Ljubomir Petrović’s side will see the Army side clinching their 17th league title in just 24 years. With two games to play, the black and white outfits top the table standings with 60 points, three ahead of second-placed AS Kigali. Elsewhere on Thursday, the reigning champions Rayon Sports were upset 2-0 by Espoir at Kamarampaka Stadium in Rusizi district to make it their sixth league defeat this season. In other matches, Police overcame SC Kiyovu 2-1, Amagaju and Marines played out a 1-all draw, Kirehe beat Bugesera 2-0, Miroplast lost 2-0 to Gicumbi, while Musanze thrashed Sunrise in a 3-0 win. Editorial@newtimes.co.rw