Sunday AS Muhanga 2-1 Police AS Kigali 1-1 Musanze Marines 1-1 Bugesera Saturday Etincelles 0-1 Rayon Sports Gicumbi 0-0 Espoir Mukura 1-0 Sunrise Kirehe 0-2 SC Kiyovu Friday APR 2-0 Amagaju Police suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against newly promoted AS Muhanga on match day one of the 2018-19 national football league at Muhanga Stadium on Sunday. Abdul Mbarushimana’s team came from behind to earn all three points from their first game of the season, thanks to second-half goals from Yannick Bizimana and Aimé Ntirushwa. Police skipper Eric Ngendahimana had scored the opener just before halftime. The law enforcers started the game the better side but squandered several clear chances before Ngendahimana finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute to hand Albert Joel Mphande’s side a first-half lead. However, the hosts leveled in the 75th minute through Bizimana before Ntirushwa netted the winner with nine minutes to time. “Fantastic job from my men today,” said Mbarushimana. “Coming from behind to beat such an opponent is no easy task. This is also a message to the other top teams, we are back in the topflight league for serious business, we’re not just participants.” Joel Albert Mphande’s side were hoping for the best possible start to the new the season as they seek to push for what would be their maiden league title. Police were formed in 2005. Elsewhere on Sunday, AS Kigali were held to a 1-all draw by Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Musanze at Kigali Stadium. Musanze’s Japhet Imurora AS Kigali’s Jean Claude Ndarusanze were the goal scorers. In the last game of the weekend, Bugesera salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw against Marines at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District. Meanwhile, Rayon defeated Etincelles 1-0 on Saturday, while Gicumbi FC and visitors Espoir played out a goalless draw. Mukura beat Sunrise FC 1-0 while Kirehe lost to Kiyovu 2-0, with champions APR FC overcoming Amagaju 2-0 at Kigali Stadium. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
