The match day 9 of the Primus National League produced a total of 22 goals with Police FC, Muhazi United and Marines FC being the only clubs who recorded wins away from home.
While APR FC’s goalless draw against Rayon Sports sparked less to debate on, Yves Kimenyi’s horror injury tops the headlines from last weekend’s football action, with the shot stopper falling victim of Peter Agblevor’s challenge which could see him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
It was also a weekend to forget for Maurice ‘Maso’ Nshimiyimana and Karim Kamanzi who were sacked as Etoile de l’Est head coach and assistant coach due to a poor string of results.
A lot unfolded over the weekend Times Sport brings you six key talking points learnt from the action.
Rayon has been APR’s nightmare in 2023
Rayon Sports are gradually lifting themselves out of the shadows of APR as they continue to dominate the derby.
The two rivals have met four times in 2023 and Rayon is yet to lose, winning three times in a row before being held to a goalless draw on Sunday.
The Blues have been very convincing in recent games against APR with the army side finding it difficult to end their winless run.
The last time APR beat Rayon Sports was on December 17, 2022.
ALSO READ: Photos: Pitchou suffers injury as Rayon-APR settle for barren draw
Sunrise woes continues
Sunrise FC’s management decided to dismiss Hassan Muhire from his coaching role last week thinking that the club’s poor start to season was all down to the tactician.
His sacking, however, solved nothing as interim coach failed to turn results around when the club again fell to a 2-1 defeat to Eastern Province rivals Muhazi United at "Golgotha" Stadium on Sunday, October 29.
It does not look good for Sunrise FC at all and they must appoint a new coach ready to save their season, or they could end up relegated.
They currently sit bottom of the league table with six points. Another test waits them on November 5, when they visit AS Kigali at Kigali Pele Stadium.
ALSO READ: Agblevor apologises after horrific challenge on goalie Kimenyi
Kiyovu getting back on track
Administrative crisis has been affecting KIyovu’s performance on the pitch in the recent weeks. It is a situation that worried head coach Petros Koukouras who claimed that the club’s internal problems were affecting his players, especially financially, hence struggling for results.
"We face things I have never faced in my life,” the Greek gaffer told journalists a fortnight ago.
By the time the club got rid of Juvenal Mvukiyehe who, the club management claimed, was behind the chaos, Koukouras lost his key man and skipper Olivier Niyonzima to an injury in their game against Police FC as he suffered a horrible deep cut.
Club President Francois Ndorimana has been doing all he could to fix the situation in his office while also ensuring that the players are motivated again.
Kiyovu put their setbacks behind them last weekend and produced one of their best performances this year as they demolished out of form Etoile de l'Est 6-1 at Kigali Pele Stadium. Yves Mugunga was the star of the day as he netted a brace.
Kiyovu is now getting the ball rolling.
Kimenyi’s season might be over
The shot stopper is feared to be out for at least six months following horror challenge from Musanze striker Peter Agblevor on Sunday.
Kimenyi tore his tibia and fibula after colliding with Agblevor as he tried to beat the Ghanaian to the ball in the penalty box and prevent him from scoring during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Musanze FC.
He had to be rushed straight to hospital after being given first aid on the pitch and is now set to undergo a surgery.
Agblevor was shown a straight red card for the challenge.
Kimenyi’s injury shocked so many people, including Agblevor who apologized to the shot stopper. Meanwhile, the likes of Ernest Sugira, Haruna Niyonzima and former club Rayon Sports were among well-wishers who wished him speedy recovery.
Mashami gets things right at Police
Police had a poor start to the season, going winless in three games before they returned to form to win four straight games.
Vincent Mashami has been at the heart of Police FC’s impressive form, beat Muhazi United 2-1 and AS Kigali 1-0 before teaching Kiyovu a lesson with a 3-1 thrashing.
His side’s unstoppable from continued on Saturday, October 28, as they defeated Gasogi 1-0 courtesy of Ally Kwitonda’s late strike that moved them third in the table, four points shy of leaders Musanze FC.
The players have adapted to Mashami’s tactics and philosophy and they are now up and firing from all angles. Police FC is certainly a team to watch this season.
Etoile’s underperformance cost Maso the job
The newly-promoted club lost confidence in coach Maurice ‘Maso’ Nshimiyimana who has been struggling for results in the Primus National League.
Etoile have lost six games, drawn once and won twice in nine league games under Maso and the performance was far from what the management was expecting from the tactician. The last straw which broke the Carmel's back was the shambolic 6-1 defeat to Kiyovu Sports over the weekend.
Rayon Sports and Sunrise FC sacked Yamen Zelfani and Hassan Muhire respectively and Maso is the latest coach to join the club.