A 41st minute goal from central midfielder Jean Bosco Ruboneka was all that APR needed to defeat AS Kigali by a lone goal in the first leg of the 2023/24 Peace Cup round of 16 on Tuesday, January 17.

The game that took place at Kigali Pele Stadium was a tightly contested one, featuring end-to-end action between the two teams.

APR's diminutive winger Gilbert Mugisha was a handful for AS Kigali with his pace and flair, preventing AS Kigali defenders from moving forward from their half, as he piled pressure on them.

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AS Kigali's attack led by Erisa Keith Ssekisambu and Dominique Antoine Ndayishimiye also had some decent chances but failed to convert them as APR defenders Yunusu Nshimiyimana and Clement Niyigena were a stumbling block to them.

Ruboneka fired the army side ahead in the 41st minute with a sublime finish to end the second half on a positive note.

The second half saw APR bring on Thaiba Mbonyumwamj and Claude Niyomugabo for Gilbert Mugisha and Ramadan Niyibizi respectively to strengthened their wings and attack.

Much of possession from both teams was centred in midfield where a key battle between midfielders Raphael Osaluwe and Sharaf Shaiboub was experienced.

APR pushed for the second goal but AS Kigali held on. The second leg will be played on January 27.

Other games

In other matches, Bugesera FC thrashed Marines FC 4-0 at Nyamata Stadium while Gorilla FC defeated Kiyovu Sports 2-0.

Vision FC stunned Musanze by 2-0 while Kamonyi could not stand the might of Police FC as they were hammered 3-0.