Police head coach Innocent Seninga has paid tribute to his players’ "fighting spirit” after they battled back to beat Mukura Victory Sports 2-1 at Huye Stadium on Sunday.

The result lifted the cops into third place in the Azam Rwanda Premier League.

Forward Hamidou Simpenzwe broke the deadlock in the 70th minute to give Mukura the lead before Abed Biramahire pulled one back for the law-enforcers two minutes later with Japhet Imurora completing a crucial comeback for Seninga’s side scoring the winning goal four minutes to stoppage time.

"We played a brilliant game and I’m so happy with my players. They believed until the end. We made a few errors but that can always happen in football,” Seninga said

Elsewhere, Musanze FC defeated SC Kiyovu 3-2 at Musanze Stadium courtesy of Wai Yeka’s brace and Francois Hakizimana’s strike. Laurien Habimana scored the two goals for Kiyovu.

The win saw Musanze climb to the fifth place with 32 points while Kiyovu remain in the 12th place with 21 points.

Sixth-placed Bugesera FC, also with 32 points, failed to close gap on the top positions after playing a goalless draw against struggling Marines at Umuganda Stadium. Marines are 14th with 19 points.

Meanwhile on Saturday, defending champions APR lost more ground in the race for the title after they were held to a goalless draw by Kirehe at Nyakarambi ground.

Jimmy Mulisa’s team remain second in the table but the gap between them and leaders Rayon Sports grew to three points, with the latter now having two games in hand having been away over the weekend on continental duties.

The draw took Kirehe to 22 points and 10th position.

Rayon Sports are on 43 points with games in hand against AS Kigali and Sunrise.

AS Kigali beat Amagaju 1-0 at Stade de Kigali courtesy of Janvier Cyubahiro’s strike and the win saw Eric Nshimiyimana’s team remain in fourth place with 39 points.

In Rusizi, Espoir played to a 1-1 draw against visitors Gicumbi FC.

Felicien Nkurunziza scored for the home side before Rachid Mutebi equalised for Godfroid Okoko’s team.

Pepiniere got their second win of the season after beating eighth-placed Etincelles 2-0 at Ruyenzi ground.

Mohammud Kabura and Gilbert Mugisha scored for the bottom side.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw