APR thump Sunrise to reach Peace Cup quarter-finals

APR FC recorded the biggest win of the season when they thrashed league rivals Sunrise FC 4-0 on Saturday Amahoro National Stadium to advance to the 2017 Peace Cup quarter-finals.

Sunday, May 14, 2017
APR academy product, Fiston Nkezingabo gave the eight-time Peace Cup winners the lead in the 28th minute. APR beat Sunrise FC 4-0 to advance to the Peace Cup last eight. S. Ngendahimana

Saturday

APR FC 4-0 Sunrise FC (4-0)SC Kiyovu 1-1 Marines (1-2)Amagaju FC 0-0 La Jeunesse (2-0)Bugesera FC vs AS Muhanga (postponed)Gicumbi FC 1-1 Police FC (1-3)

APR FC recorded the biggest win of the season when they thrashed league rivals Sunrise FC 4-0 on Saturday Amahoro National Stadium to advance to the 2017 Peace Cup quarter-finals.

Following a goalless draw from the last 16, first leg played in midweek in Nyagatare, APR knew the onus was on them to take the game to their opponents in the second leg to avoid early exit from the competition that offers them the best chances to end the season with a trophy.

APR academy product, Fiston Nkezingabo gave the eight-time Peace Cup winners the lead in the 28th minute. Striker Issa Bigirimana, who scored a brace in the game, netted his first and APR’s second two minutes after the half time break.

Another APR academy product Maxime Sekamana scored the third goals in the 51st minute to end Andre Casa Mbungo's hope of lifting the Peace Cup for the third time as coach after winning the title with AS Kigali and Police FC.

APR’s top scorer, Bigirimana, completed the rout with his second of the match, in the 69th minute after good work from midfielder Muhadjir Hakizimana. Nkezingabo, Herve Rugwiro and Muhadjir had chances to increase the score line, but failed to find the back of the net.

In other matches, 2015 winners, Police FC eliminated league strugglers Gicumbi FC, on a 3-1 aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Stade de Gicumbi. Innocent Seninga’s team had won the first leg 2-1.

Aloys Kanamugire’s SC Kiyovu were knocked out by Marines FC 2-1 over the two legs—the Ruvabu-based side had won the first leg 1-0 at Umuganda Stadium and a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Mumena Stadium was enough to see them through to the last eight.

Amagaju FC reached quarter-final without kicking a ball after their opponents La Jeunesse failed to turn up for the second leg clash in Nyamagabe. Amagaju had won the first leg 2-0.

Meanwhile, Bugesera FC's second leg game with second division side AS Muhanga, was shifted to Tuesday as the District are commemorating the victims of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The top flight league side lost the first 1-0.

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