* Win takes APR to 30 points* Finished the match with 10 men* Kiyovu’s chances all ended fruitless

SaturdayAPR 2-1 SC Kiyovu

Striker Michel Ndahinduka netted a 79th minute winner as ten-man APR beat Kiyovu Sports Club 2-1 to go to the top of the national football league table on yesterday.

Gilbert Yaoundé Kanyankore failed in his attempt to inflict a third defeat on the army side in less than 12 months after APR won their rescheduled league fixture against the Green Baggies at Amahoro stadium to go two points clear of second-placed Rayon Sports.

As coach of Burundian side Vital’O, Kanyankore beat the record 13-times Rwandan champions, the CAF Champions League and the Cecafa Kagame Cup final last year.

However, it was the army side that dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead through a penalty kick which was well taken by Emery Bayisenge on the half hour mark after Kiyovu defender Mukamba brought down striker Michel Ndahinduka in the forbidden area.

SC Kiyovu, who were relying mainly on count attackers, saw both Ali Musa Sova and Julius Bakkabulindi miss open chances.

Kanyankore’s team came back from the break stronger and dully got on level terms on the 53rd minute through Sova, who finished off a fine move that involved midfielder Mhadjili Hakizimana and Ugandan striker Bakkabulindi.

Kiyovu continued to raid APR goal and Bakkabulindi, Hakizimana and Musa were denied chance by the impressive stand-in goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera.

Kwizera’s reflex saves were to prove decisive as former Busegesera FC hitman Ndahinduka headed home the winner for Andre Spier’s team with 11 minutes left on the clock off Jean Claude Iranzi free-kick.

APR ended the game with ten players after right fullback Michel Rusheshangoga was sent off for a second bookable offence with eight minutes to go.

The win takes APR to 30 points, two ahead of the defending champion Rayon Sports, while Kiyovu remain in sixth position, eight points adrift of the leaders.