SundayAS Kigali vs Rwamagana City 3:30pmSunrise vs Musanze FCMarines FC vs Rayon Sports

SaturdayAS Muhanga 1-2 Espoir Etincelles 0-1 APR FCGicumbi FC 0-0 Amagaju

FridayMukura 1-2 Police FCBugesera FC 0-0 SC Kiyovu

Djihad Bizimana was the hero as APR kicked off their Azam Rwanda Premier League title defence with a narrow 1-0 win against Etincelles in a match played yesterday at Tam Tam stadium in Rubavu.

The Rwanda international midfielder who signed from archrivals Rayon Sports in close season scored the only goal of the game in the 56th minute with a long range shot.

It was Bizimana’s second goal for APR after netting his first against Al Ahly Shendi during the CECAFA Kagame Cup Sudan in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where the army side was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Al Khartoum.

The reigning champions, APR were without head coach Dusan Dule Suljagic, who left the job on Thursday, leaving assistant coach Vincent Mashami in charge for what would also be his last game (in charge) following his signing of a permanent contract with national team along with goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha.

The military side dominated the game, with Etincelles defending in numbers and giving little space to APR strikers.

In Muhanga, hosts AS Muhanga lost 2-1 against Alphonse Gatera’s Espoir thanks to goals from strikers Haruna Muvunyi and Mamadou Mbazumutima while America Kalisa scored the consolation goal for the league newcomers in second half.

The Azam Rwanda Premier League kicked off on Friday when Andre Casa Mbungo’s Police FC defeated Mukura 2-1 at Muhanga stadium—with the goal coming through Isaie Songa and Imran Nshimiyimana while Mukura’s goal was scored by midfielder Muhadjir Hakizimana.

The league match-day 1 continues today when last season’s first runners-up, AS Kigali host debutants Rwamagana City FC at Mumena stadium in Nyamirambo.

Jimmy Mulisa’s Sunrise FC will be up against Musanze FC in Rwamagana and Rayon Sports, under their new French coach David Donadei visit Marines FC at Tam Tam stadium.