AS Kigali edge Police to lift Ombudsman Cup

AS KIGALI are the 2014 Ombudsman Cup champions after edging Police FC 1-0 in a tense encounter at Amahoro Stadium yesterday.

Sunday, December 07, 2014
Kigali City Mayor Fidele Ndyisaba lifts the Ombudsman trophy while AS Kigali players show off the Rwf3m dummy cheque that they won after defeating Police 1-0. On the extreme right is Sports Minister Joseph Habineza and the Ombudsman Mrs. Aloysie Cyanzayire. (Timothy Kisambira)

Ombudsman Cup (Yesterday)

AS Kigali 1-0 Police

AS KIGALI are the 2014 Ombudsman Cup champions after edging Police FC 1-0 in a tense encounter at Amahoro Stadium yesterday.

Sports and Culture minister Joseph Habineza hands over the cup to AS Kigali Captain Jean Pierre Mabula.

Striker Bodo Ndikumana scored a brilliant goal after beating the entire Police defense and goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure to slot the ball into an open net in the 13th minute.

Chief Ombudsman Aloysie Chanzayire (third left) awards medals to Police FC .

A first half of wasted chances for both sides saw Police striker Kipson Atuheire miss a sitter in front of goal while Ndikumana had his chances at goal intercepted by an alert defensive pair of Gabriel Mugabo and Fabrice Twagizimana who were keen to up their game after conceding an early goal.

Jimmy Mbaraga of Police takes on Amini Muzerwa of AS Kigali.

In the second half, Ndikumana and Janvier Cyubahiro squandered another chance inches away from the goal line as they slid and collided on the ground missing the ball that went straight to Mvuyekure’s hands.

With ten minutes to the end of regular time, the law enforcers mounted a well coordinated counter attack but substitute Idesbard Nshuti sent his header inches above the woodwork.

AS Kigali team share a light moment after winning the Ombudsman Cup.

Mbaraga then beat the entire AS Kigali defense and goalkeeper Shamiru Batte but his shot hit the woodwork and that summed up the law enforcers’ luck on an evening when they failed to defend their title.

AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana who won his first trophy, six years after he started his coaching career said, "Winning this trophy is very good for us and shows that we too are a strong team.”

AS Kigali stopper Shamiru Bate tightens his laces.

On the other hand, Mbungo admitted that his side did not play well because as Police FC, they should have won the trophy since Police is one of the institutions charged with fighting corruption in Rwanda.

Ndikumana Bodo of AS Kigali controls the ball. He scored the only goal.

AS Kigali walked away with Rwf3m while runners up Police bagged Rwf2m offered by the Office of the Ombudsman.