Azam Rwanda Premier League title contenders Rayon Sports missed the opportunity to close gap on leaders APR FC after they were held 1-1 by Etincelles, yesterday, at Kigali Regional Stadium, Nyamirambo.

Junior Wasps skipper Savio Dominique Nshuti had put the blues in the lead in the 32nd minute – in this previously postponed fixture – before former AS Kigali and Rayon Sports striker Bodo Ndikumana leveled matters in the 69th minute.

The result left Rayon Sports four points adrift of champions and current leaders APR FC, who have played a game more.

Rayon Sports remain in second place with 54 points, while Etincelles climbed into the 11th place with 27 points.In the first half, Rayon’s Malian striker Diarra twice failed to score in one-on-one situations against the visitors’ goalkeeper, Dany ‘Barthez’ Nduwayo.

In the second half, Etincelles defensive midfielder Hussein Habimana and Rayon forward Kevin Muhire were both sent off by referee Balthazar Ahishakiye after the two appeared to be fighting.

Rayon will also miss the services of in-form striker Diarra in their next game after the Malian was yellow carded yesterday.

Djuma Masudi Irambona’s team dominated the first half and continued their supremacy early on in the second and yet it was Etincelles who got the equalizer.

Skipper Patrick Gikamba, Gentil Kambale Salite and Bodo Ndikumana all missed scoring opportunities for Innocent Seninga’s Etincelles, while Davis Kasirye, Nshuti and Diarra also failed to hit the target for Rayon Sports in the second half.

Meanwhile, the league has been put on hold ahead of Amavubi’s friendly match against Senegal on Saturday in Kigali this weekend in the buildup to their next 2017 AFCON qualifier against Mozambique on June 4.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw