TKFL, Match Day 17

Yesterday

APR  1-0  Police

SC Kiyovu  1-1  Espoir 

Musanze  2-2  AS Muhanga

Etincelles  1-3  Esperance 

Mukura  1-1  Gicumbi 

A SUPERB strike from Patrick Sibomana took APR back to the top of the Turbo King Football League on Sunday when they beat rivals Police at Stade de Kigali.

APR, who were second with a slim goal difference behind Rayon Sports going into the game, earned maximum points to boost their hunt for the league title.

With nine games remaining, APR are at the summit with 40 points, followed by Rayon Sports who have a game in hand on 37 points, Espoir are in third with 32 points, while Police and AS Kigali follow with 31 points each.

Defender Emery Bayisenge made a brilliant clearance off the goal line as Innocent Habyarimana ensured a rare chance for the visitors following APR goalie Olivier Kwizera’s poor clearance of a cross from Jacques Tuyisenge in the first half. It was 0-0 at half time.

In the second half, Police put pressure on the hosts breaking their midfield link. With the only option of forcing their comeback through counterattacks, Patrick Sibomana broke the deadlock on 58th minute, converting a combined effort from Andrew Buteera and Charles Tibingana who did a good job by eliminating three defenders.

Sibomana, who came in replacing injured Jean Claude Iranzi, tormented the Cops side again with fifteen minutes to the end of the game as he set up another clear opportunity for striker Michel Ndahinduka whose header went wide.

When the going got tough, Coach Sam Ssimbwa introduced a fresh pair of legs with Kipson Atuheire replacing Peter Kagabo while Donatien Tuyizere came on for Innocent Habyarimana but the equaliser was elusive.

Ndahinduka should have extended the lead with his lovely free kick in the 86th minute but to the visitors reprieve it was well saved by goalie Alex Ngaza. 

APR’s Coach Vincent Mashami was happy with the win and hailed his players for the much earned victory. Police Coach Sam Ssimbwa was however not happy with the way referee Louis Hakizimana denied his side a ‘clear goal which crossed the line’, but promised to improve the team ahead of the remaining matches of the league.

Elsewhere, Espoir moved into third spot with 32 points after forcing hosts SC Kiyovu to a 1-all draw at Mumena stadium.

AS Muhanga also played a 2-all draw away to Musanze; Mukura held Gicumbi to a 1-all draw, while Esperance registered their biggest win of the season, with a 3-1 victory away to Etincelles. 

Both Rayon Sports and AS Kigali who are featuring in Africa club championships will play their match day 17 fixtures on February 19 and 20 against Amagaju and Marines, respectively.