It was a weekend shaped by low-scoring ratio where only 14 goals were scored across 10 match venues during Match Day 23 of the Primus National League.
Only Rayon Sports, Mukura Victory Sports and Etoile de l'Est won away matches whereas Police FC’s woes continue to go from bad to worse, having failed to win a single match in their last second round matches.
Times Sports takes a look at five key takeaways from the weekend action.
It’s not over yet for Etoile de l'Est
Etoile de l'Est weren’t looking like a bottom-ranked side when they played against AS Kigali on Saturday.
The Ngoma-based club totally dominated the Citizens Kigali Pele Stadium and eventually stunned them with a 1-0 victory through a Gabriel Godspower's goal.
The result boosted Etoile players’ confidence as they look to fight till the last day pushing to avoid relegation.
Mathematically, they have a chance to stay in the top flight league as they are now three points away from climbing above the drop zone and, with seven games left to play, there is still a chance for survival. They can only maintain the momentum.
ALSO READ: Etoile coach Kwaku confident of relegation-safety
Mukura’s indecisive form
Mukura VS is turning out to be one of the unpredictable teams in the Primus National League this 2023/24.
The Huye-based side lost 1-0 at home to Bugesera FC in the Peace Cup but they still traveled to Nyamata to beat the same opposition 2-0 in the league on Saturday.
This has been a trend for coach Lotfi Afahmia’s side this season. They won the games that fans least expected them to win but then, they ended up losing the fixtures they were fancied to amass maximum points.
ALSO READ: Tuyisenge's brace seals victory for Rayon against Sunrise
Tuyisenge in his elements for Rayon
Rayon Sports easily dispatched Sunrise FC at Nyagatare Stadium courtesy of Arsene Tuyisenge’s brace.
The winger was on fire as he finished two brilliant efforts from Rharb Youssef and Rashid Kalisa.
Rayon have struggled to get a consistent goal scorer after Heritier Luvumbu’s exit and Tuyisenge has proved that he can be up to the task. He only needs to remain consistent.
Do even Police FC know what’s going wrong?
Vincent Mashami’s charges once again failed to bite as they lost 2-1 to Kiyovu Sports, making it their eighth consecutive game without a win..
The situation is worsening and it looks like Mashami is struggling to find the solution. With the current poor form, Police FC have come from a ‘team to beat’ to an opponent that every team wishes to play.
There is increasing pressure on Mashami and the club management could elect for ‘change’ which could cost the former Amavubi boss his job.
Shaiboub's magic continues
In the beginning, APR coach Thierry Froger looked very concerned when he lost his star striker Victor Mbaoma to an injury in January. But he has now found a real solution in Sharaf Eldin Shaiboub since he deployed him from his natural midfield role to use him upfront as an improvised striker.
The Sudanese midfielder has been very clinical with some breathtaking goals though he has been operating in an unfamiliar position. Even when Mbaoma returned, Froger still plays Shaiboub as his arrowhead.
He scored the winner against Etincelles on Sunday before making way for Mbaoma later on as APR FC extended their unbeaten run to 23 games.