SaturdayAS Kigali 0-1 Rayon Sports

WednesdayRayon Sports vs Sunrise FC

AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana has admitted that this year’s Azam Rwanda Premier League title is for Rayon Sports to lose after the leaders opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table yet with another game in hand – against Sunrise FC – which will be played midweek.

Thierry Manzi netted the lone goal as the blues beat AS Kigali 1-0 in a rescheduled match on Saturday at Stade de Kigali in Nyamirambo.

AS Kigali remain fourth, nine points off the pace with ten matches remaining.

The centre back scored the all-important goal in the 36th minute heading home a well taken free-kick from Kevin Muhire after AS Kigali defender Cedric Kubwimana brought down Dominique Savio Nshuti just outside the box. Kubwimana was booked as a result.

"It is theirs to lose. We have to win all our remaining games and hope they lose along the way but it is difficult. It is in their hands,” Nshimiyimana said after the match.

"Eight points is a big lead. We will continue to work hard and look for more points but it is hard to catch Rayon Sports,” he added.

However, Rayon Sports head coach Djuma Masudi has refused to be carried away by his team’s form and commanding lead at the top. He instead warned his players against any complacency and demanded that they remain focused.

"Everything is still possible. Well, it is good to go eight points clear but nothing has been won yet. We are not going to relax and my players know that we have not won anything. We need to approach every match as a final between now and end of the season,” Masudi told Times Sport.

Rayon Sports will play their postponed game against ninth-placed Sunrise FC on Wednesdayand victory for Masudi’s team would take them eleven points clear and possibly beyond the reach of their closest rivals and defending champions APR FC, who have won just once in the last eight matches in all competitions.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw