Wednesday

Bugesera 0-1 Rayon Sports

Rayon Sports assistant coach Maurice Nshimiyimana has admitted that the win against Bugesera FC on Wednesday could be the key to their bid to win this season’s national football league title.

New Malian signing Tidiane Koné came from the bench to score the lone goal in the 62nd minute off an assist from his countryman Moussa Camara. Kone replaced injured centre back Abdul Rwatubyaye on the half hour mark.

"We have not won the league but the win against Bugesera puts us on the right track to winning the title, but we have to keep a winning mentality in the remaining fixtures. We played well and deserved the three points,” Nshimiyimana told Times Sport.

He added, "It is hard to beat Bugesera at their ground because they are a strong team and they have a wonderful coach but we managed to get the points we needed, so we are happy but the race is still open.”

Leaders Rayon Sports beat Bugesera 1-0 at Nyamata ground to go five points clear at the top of the table albeit with two games in hand. Vincent Mashami’s Bugesera remain in sixth place with 32 points from 21 matches.

Rayon Sports played the game without head coach Djuma Masudi, who was serving a one-match suspension. It was a re-arranged game due to Rayon Sports’ engagement in CAF Confederation Cup.

Rayon Sports next face fourth-placed AS Kigali on Sunday and Sunrise FC next week, and victory in both matches, would take them 11 points clear.

Mashami noted that, "We had the game in our hands but we made one mistake which killed us. I am not happy with the result because we played well and were in control for the majority of the match.”

"Their keeper (Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye) made great saves to keep Rayon Sports in the game. I think if it was not him, we could have finished the game in the first half. Credit to him, though, he played a key role to give his team three points,” he explained.

Bugesera’s David Saibad Nzabanita, Djihadi Rucogoza, Bertrand Iradukunda and Faruk Ruhinda Ssentongo had chances to score in either half but failed to beat Bakame, who was in magnificent form.

While on the other end, Pierrot Kwizera and Nova Bayama missed opportunities for the visitors but Bugesera FC’s second choice goalkeeper Janvier Kwizera, who replaced injured Olivier Kwizera, pulled good saves.

Ismael Prince Mugabo hit the post with long range shots and Bakame pulled off the best save of the match in the 80th minute as Rayon Sports held on for the crucial win.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw