YesterdayAPR 1-0 Rayon SportsMukura 1-2 PoliceSC Kiyovu 2-0 MuhangaGicumbi 2-0 EtincellesAS Kigali 2-0 EsperanceEspoir 1-0 AmagajuMarines 0-2 Musanze 

MIDFIELDER Charles Tibingana Mwesigye was the hero as he blasted in a 50th minute goal to give APR a hard fought 1-0 win over archrivals Rayon Sports, in a thrilling Turbo King Football League match played on Saturday at Amahoro stadium. 

Tibingana, who hardly threatened the Rayon Sports defense for the better part, capitalized on a defensive blunder by central defenders Hussein Sibomana and Iddi Nshimiyimana after collecting Jean Claude Iranzi’s cross to net the winner past static keeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye. 

Both sides played an open and exciting game in the first 45 minutes with either defense opting for tight marking to avoid mistakes that could otherwise prove costly. 

Rayon Sports players, however, will have themselves to blame for their profligacy in front of the goal as they wasted several good chances in either half much to the disappointment of their supporter, who came in big number. Amahoro stadium has never been that full. 

Better chances 

Rayon Sports had the better of the chances during the early exchanges, with Burundian midfielder cum striker Cedric Amissi, missing two clear chances while Ugandan striker Samson Jakesh blasted wide with only APR keeper Jean Claude Ndoli to beat. 

APR also had the opportunity to test goalie Ndayishimiye in the first half when Rayon Sports defenders Sibomana and Nshimiyimana were dispossessed by APR’s striker Michel Ndahinduka outside the penalty area but the latter shot straight at former team mate, Ndayishimiye. 

Iranzi also had his effort saved by Ndayishimiye as he dribbled Karim Nizigiyimana to letting a thunderbolt which was put off bay by Ndayishimiye. Another attempt from APR was denied by the cross bar as Ndahinduka rose to head past Sibomana. 

Tibingana eventually brought Rayon Sports fans to their feet when their defenders Sibomana and Ndhimiyimana failed to clear a dangerous ball following a move by APR to give the former SCVU player the chance to calmly complete the move, sending the stadium which was filled beyond capacity into jubilations. 

Rayon Sports had two good chances during added time but Amissi and substitute Meddie Kagere again blasted over to give APR fans a huge relief. 

APR’s victory eventually saw them leapfrog their archrivals into second spot with 19 points but trail AS Kigali, who are still top of the standings with 21 points from eight matches. 

AS Kigali beat visitors Esperance 2-0 at Stade de Kigali, while SC Kiyovu also extended their winning streak with a 2-0 win over AS Muhanga.

The win was also a sweet revenge for APR against the Blues, who last season defeated the military side 4-0 in the second leg of the Primus league to eventually leave them trophy-less for the first time since 1995. 

Elsewhere, Sam Ssimbwa’s Police FC snatched a 2-1 win over hosts Mukura at Kamena grounds. Gicumbi recorded its second win of the season with a 2-0 home win over Etincelles, while Musanze kept their big four hope alive with a 2-0 win over hosts Marines at Umuganda stadium. Emmanuel Ruremesha’s Espoir Fc snatched a 1-0 win over neighbors Amagaju in Rusizi.