SundayRayon Sports 2-0 SC KiyovuMusanze 1-0 Bugesera

Rayon Sports once again broke SC Kiyovu supporters’ hearts after easing to a comfortable 2-0 victory on match-day two of the Azam Rwanda Premier League 2017/18 season at Kigali Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After an evenly balanced first half which ended goalless, the defending champions took the lead through former APR defender Faustin Usengimana in the 52nd minute after wonderful cross from Djaber Manishimwe on the right wing.

Kiyovu’s resistence faded as the second half progressed, thanks in much to Rayon Sports, who stepped up their game with the likes of Pierrot Kwizera, Manishimwe and Yannich Mukunzi dominating the midfield.

Their dominance resulted in the second goals when Burundian international forward Shassir Nahimana put the game beyond Kiyovu’s reach with an acrobatic kick strike goal in the 86th again off an assist from Manishimwe, who was Rayon Sports’ man of the match.

Defeat also brought back bad memories for SC Kiyovu fans whose teams lost 2-1 against Rayon Sports in the final game of last season that sent their team to the second division, for only to return to top division following promoted Isonga FC’s withdrawal from playing in the topflight.

Coach Andre Casa Mbungo's youthful Kiyovu dominated possession in the first half but Oliver Karekezi's star-studded champions defended so well before stepping up a gear in the second period.

"These are three important points for us. It was a hard game but I am happy we have managed to get what I think is a deserved win, we didn’t start well but later we started to dominated them and we got chance to score goals,” Rayon Sports head coach Karekezi said after the match.

The champions moved up to fifth place in the table with four points, two behind early season pace setters Amagaju FC, while SC Kiyiovu remain on 11th position with three points having won the season opener 1-0 against Musanze FC a fortnight ago.

In another game played on Sunday, Musanze defeated Bugesera FC 1-0 at Ubworoheranire ground in Musanze thanks to Wai Yeka’s effort in the 83rd minute.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw