Race for league title not over - Rayon coach

After seeing his side register the biggest win of the season with a 6-0 thumping of Amagaju FC at Kigali Regional Stadium on Wednesday evening, Rayon Sports interim head coach Djuma Masudi has said that the blues will fight for the title until the last day of the season.

Thursday, June 16, 2016
Irambona (C) is congratulated by his teammates after giving Rayon Sports the lead against Amagaju FC. Rayon won 6-0 to jump into the second place on the league table. (S. Ngendahimana)

Wednesday

Bugesera FC 2-1 AS MuhangaAS Kigali 0-2 Police FCSunrise FC 1-1 Espoir FCMarines 0-1 APR FCRayon Sports 6-0 Amagaju FCMusanze FC 0-0 Rwamagana City

After seeing his side register the biggest win of the season with a 6-0 thumping of Amagaju FC at Kigali Regional Stadium on Wednesday evening, Rayon Sports interim head coach Djuma Masudi has said that the blues will fight for the title until the last day of the season.

Masudi urged his players to "keep fighting” for the league title but admits it is unlikely that table leaders and defending champions APR will slip up in their final match against AS Kigali. If APR lose or draw and Rayon Sports win their remaining four matches, the title will go to the blues.

With one game left, the military side has 67 points, ten points ahead of second-placed Rayon Sports, which still have four games to play. Mukura Victory Sports are in third position, also with 57 points from 28 matches.

The Rayon Sports’ win was a welcome relief after off-field problems which have dogged the club. Players did not turn up for training for four days in the lead up to Wednesday’s match over nonpayment of their salary arrears for three months.

However, those problems were put on the side as they ran riot against Abdul ‘Beken’ Bizimana’s side with goals coming from Eric Irambona, Djaber Manishimwe and Rahamatullah Bizimana in the first half.

Thierry Manzi netted the fourth goal in the 46th minute, Davis Kasirye netted his 13th goal of the season in the 79th minute before second half substitute Savio Dominique Nshuti completed the rout a minute later.

Rayon Sports, seeking to dethrone APR as league champions, still have games against AS Muhanga on July 7; SC Kiyovu (July 10), Espoir on July 13 and Musanze FC on July 16

"I am very happy with today’s win, especially because of all the problems that we have gone through this week.

Credit goes to the players for putting up such a performance given what they have gone through. Now we have to make sure we win the next 3 matches and see what happens on the last day,” said Masudi.

APR defeated Marines FC 1-0 on Wednesday at Umuganda Stadium, thanks to the lone strike by Patrick Sibomana, which means they need to beat AS Kigali in their last match to seal a record-extending 16th league title.

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