Wednesday

Gicumbi FC         0-4          APR FC

Despite thrashing bottom side Gicumbi FC 4-0 in a rescheduled Azam Rwanda Premier League matchday 15 game on Wednesday, APR FC will finish the first half season in fourth place with 28 points, two behind leaders and defending champions Rayon Sports.

However, APR captain Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza has warned that record 16-time Rwandan champions, will be a "different side” when the league returns with the second round on April 14.

"The coach (Ljubomir Petrovic) told us to get prepared to go into camp for specific training ahead of the second round and Peace Cup (last 16 round). Everyone will get training tailored to their role in the team, so I believe in the second round, we will be a different team,” Migi said after Wednesday’s win.

Rwanda international Djihad Bizimana gave APR the lead in the 25th minute and 12 minutes later, Gicumbi were reduced to ten players after defender Aboubakar Nshimiyimana was sent off for a second bookable offence.

APR continued to press forward and, in the 40th minute, Mugiraneza netted second goal with a free-header off Bizimana’s corner kick.

Forward Issa Bigirimana made it 3-0 in the 67th minute while Bizimana, who was named man of the match, netted his second goal and fourth for Petrovic’s team in the 80th minute.

APR’s biggest win of the season did not change much in terms of their position on the log as they stay fourth, level on 28 points with third-placed SC Kiyovu but the latter enjoy a head-to-head advantage, having beaten APR 1-0 earlier in the campaign.

After beating Sunrise FC 3-2 on Monday, defending champions Rayon Sports finished the first round top of the table with 30 points, one ahead of AS Kigali.

The league is called off as teams turn focus to the Peace Cup last sixteen and quarter-finals. The league will return on April 14.

Gicumbi, who have won just three and drawn two matches in 15 league outings, remain bottom of the 16-team table standing with 11 points.

League table

Team              PD     W    D    L     Pts

Rayon             15      9     3     3     30

AS Kigali          15      8     5     2     29

SC Kiyovu        15      8     4     3     28

APR FC           15      7     7     1     28

Sunrise            15      7     4     4     25

Police FC         15      6     4     5     22

Etincelles         15      5     6     4     21

Bugesera         15      5     5     5     20

Mukura            15      3     9     3     18

Musanze          15      4     5     6     17

Marines           15      4     5     6     17

Kirehe FC        15      4     3     8     15

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Espoir              15      2     8     5     14

Amagaju          15      3     4     8     13

Miroplast          15      2     6     7     12

Gicumbi     15             3              2              10             11