ThursdayPolice FC 0-1 Rayon Sports

Forward Eric Irambona netted the only goal as Rayon Sports claimed a deserved 1-0 win over a lackluster Police FC in a rescheduled Azam Rwanda Premier League match on Thursday at Kicukiro Stadium.

Irambona’s thunderbolt from a tight angle in the 63rd minute helped Olivier Karekezi’s side jump from 10th to fifth place on the league table with 11 points from six matches.

Rayon Sports dominated the game from start to finish and should have been 2 or even three goals up in the first half as the visitors had six corners and also missed a penalty through midfielder Yannick Mukunzi, whose attempt was well saved by Police keeper Marcel Nzarora.

Rayon Sports defence, marshaled by Thierry Manzi, Gabriel Mugabo, Ange Mutsinzi and Eric Rutanga, displayed a solid performance and didn’t allow Police attackers a sniff at Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye’s goal until the last 20 minutes.

Djabel Manishimwe had a chance to give Rayon Sports the lead in the 7th minute when he went through man to man against Nzarora, who made a great save.

Manishimwe also won a penalty when he was brought down in the forbidden area by Police FC defender Hussein Habimana but Mukunzi missed the resulting kick with Nzarora guessing the right direction to parry the attempt into a corner kick.

The defending champions created more scoring opportunities through Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, Manishimwe and Tidiane Kone but they failed to convert them.

Mutsinzi, who started his first game under Karekezi, had an opportunity to score but his effort was blocked by Police FC captain Fabrice Twagizimana, while Kone hit the post after Manishimwe’s well taken corner.

In the second half, Karekezi made changes, taking off Kone and bringing on Irambona, who went on to be the hero of the day as the ‘Blues’ put a big dent in Police’s title hopes.

Rayon Sports fans were in full voice throughout the match as the team dominated the game, creating numerous chances, which they failed to take, while Innocent Seninga’s hosts had their best opportunity fall to new signing Mustafa Nsengiyumva in the 89th minute but he shot straight at Bakame.

Police FC remain in fourth place with 12 points, while AS Kigali lead the standings with 16 points, followed by SC Kiyovu and APR with 15 points each. Rayon Sports will return to action on Sunday playing against 14th-placed Amagaju FC in Nyamagabe.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw