His team sits third in the Azam Rwanda Premier League table standing but APR coach Emmanuel Rubona is already talking about the army side winning the title, a record-extending 16th time.
His team sits third in the Azam Rwanda Premier League table standing but APR coach Emmanuel Rubona is already talking about the army side winning the title, a record-extending 16th time.
After five rounds of matches, APR have 10 points, one behind joint leaders, AS Kigali (+5) and Police FC (+2), but Eric Nshimiyimana’s AS Kigali are top courtesy of a superior goal difference.
"I have a lot of confidence in my players, and I have no doubt that we will win the league title this season,” Rubona vowed after his team had won 1-0 against Rwamagana on Saturday, thanks to a lone strike from striker Barnabe Mubumbyi.
Rubona, who was appointed APR head coach on a one-year contract at the start of the season, noted that, "We have a strong team and so we have to brace ourselves for a long tough season, but of course the main target is to win league title.”
This was APR’s third win (and second in a row) in the league, following a slow start that included a win, loss, draw and win, in their first four fixtures against Ettincelles (1-0), Mukura (0-2), Police FC (1-1) and Busegera (2-0).
SC Kiyovu and Mukura Victory Sports stand in 4th and 5th position respectively with nine points each following wins over Marines and Sunrise FC. Kiyovu won 2-0 against Marines on Friday while Mukura defeated Sunrise 2-1 on Sunday at Muhanga stadium.
Donadei impressed despite draw
Rayon Sports coach David Donadei was left impressed by his team’s display despite drawing 1-1 against Police FC in the match played on Saturday at Kicukiro stadium.
Ugandan striker Davis Kasirye out Rayon Sports ahead in the 45th minute with a long rage shot that took a bid deflected off Emmanuel Imanishimwe.
However, Andre Casa Mbungo’s Police showed why they are unbeaten since pre-season when former SEC Academy, AS Kigali and APR striker Isaie Songa netted the equalizer in the 58th minute from the spot kick after Olivier Niyonzima Seff had brought down Rachid Kalisa in the penalty area.
Despite the draw, Donadei was impressed by his side’s showing, noting that it was beyond his expectations to see the team play an entertaining football against top side like Police.
"We have a young team, but I am impressed with the way they have applied themselves in this game against a top team, they were not afraid of the Police, and that is what I have always told them, not to fear any team,” Frenchman said.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Casa Mbungo said his team did enough to secure the three points but failed, "We tried to attack our opponents but we failed to score a second goal. We are disappointed not to win but at the same time we have to be happy with the point, Rayon Sports are a hard team to beat.”
League Table
Team PD W D L Pts
AS Kigali 5 3 2 0 11
Police 5 3 2 0 11
APR 5 3 1 1 10
SC Kiyovu 5 2 3 0 9
Mukura 5 3 0 2 9
Rayon Sport 5 2 2 1 8
Gicumbi 5 2 2 1 8
Musanze 5 2 2 1 7
Amagaju 5 2 2 1 7
Espoir 5 2 1 2 7
Sunrise 5 2 0 3 6
Bugesera 5 1 2 2 5
Rwamagana 5 1 1 3 4
Marines 5 1 1 3 4
Etincelles 5 0 1 0 1
AS Muhanga 5 0 1 0 1