Thursday
Police 1-0Musanze
Rayon 3-0Bugesera
Espoir 1-0Kirehe
AS Muhanga 0-0Marines
PETER Otema was Police’s hero as his second-half strike inspired the law enforcers side to a hard fought 1-0 victory over Musanze at Mumena Stadium on Thursday.
The win saw Police cut APR’s lead to three points and moved within one point of second-placed Mukura VS who were held to a goalless draw by AS Kigali on Tuesday.
Former Amavubi striker Otema netted the lone goal of the game, against his former team in the 67th minute as Police fended off late pressure from Emmanuel Ruremesha’s men for the crucial victory, which was their fourth in five games so far this season.
After losing their opening game to newly promoted AS Muhanga 2-1, Albert Joel Mphande’s side quickly bounced back to register uninterrupted victories against Espoir, Gicumbi, Amagaju and Musanze.
Bonfils scores double
Meanwhile, former champions Rayon Sports thumped Bugesera 3-0 on Thursday to make it 12 out of a possible 15 points and, close in on leaders APR and Mukura.
Burundian striker Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, who was from a one-match suspension following his karate kick against a pitch invader during their 2-1 win over Sunrise FC last week, scored in either half, while midfielder Olivier Sefu Niyonzima put his name on the score-sheet with a 43rd minute header.
Bimenyimana netted the opener from the spot in the 28th minute after Ghanaian forward Michael Sarpong was brought down by Anicet Muhire in the penalty area. The 21-year old rounded off the scoring in the 74th minute after a wonderful assist from Niyonzima.
Bimenyimana could have scored a hat-trick had he converted his second penalty in the 46th minute after he was fouled by veteran defender Eric Mambo Rucogoza in the box.
Courtesy of a better goal difference (7), Rayon Sports are in third place while Police (5) are fourth. Both sides share a 12 points tally, having each won four games and lost once.
APR had earlier, on Tuesday, defeated Etincelles 2-0 at Umuganda Stadium while Mukura were held to a goalless draw by struggling AS Kigali at Huye Stadium.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Espoir beat Kirehe 1-0 while AS Muhanga and Marines FC shared goalless spoils at Muhanga Stadium.
After match-day 5 fixtures, the topflight league will have a two-week break as the senior national team and their U23 counterparts prepare to host Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Jimmy Mulisa’s U23 Amavubi face DRC on Wednesday next week at Umuganda Stadium, in Rubavu District, while Vincent Mashami’s senior Amavubi will be up against CAR on Sunday, November 18, at Huye Stadium.
The 2019 AFCON finals tournament will be staged in Cameroon whilst Egypt will host the AFCON U23 finals in August next year.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw
Table standing
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PTS |
| 1 | APR FC | 05 | 05 | 00 | 00 | 15 |
| 2 | Mukura | 05 | 04 | 01 | 00 | 13 |
| 3 | Rayon | 05 | 04 | 00 | 01 | 12 |
| 4 | Police | 05 | 04 | 00 | 01 | 12 |
| 5 | Muhanga | 05 | 02 | 03 | 00 | 09 |
| 6 | Kiyovu | 05 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 07 |
| 7 | Sunrise | 05 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 07 |
| 8 | Espoir | 05 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 07 |
| 9 | Bugesera | 05 | 01 | 02 | 02 | 05 |
| 10 | AS Kigali | 05 | 00 | 04 | 01 | 04 |
| 11 | Marines | 05 | 00 | 04 | 01 | 04 |
| 12 | Amagaju | 05 | 01 | 01 | 03 | 04 |
| 13 | Musanze | 05 | 01 | 01 | 03 | 04 |
| 14 | Etincelles | 05 | 01 | 00 | 04 | 03 |
| 15 | Kirehe | 05 | 00 | 02 | 03 | 02 |
| 16 | Gicumbi | 05 | 00 | 01 | 04 | 01 |
Top goal-scorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1. Caleb B. Bimenyimana Rayon 4
2. Muhadjiri Hakizimana APR 3
3. Michael Sarpong Rayon 3
4. Tresor Ndikumana Amagaju 3
5. Djuma Nizeyimana Kiyovu 3
6. Innocent Ndizeye Mukura 2
7. Savio D. Nshuti APR 2
8. Lague Byiringiro APR 2
9. Isaie Songa Police 2
10. Yannick Bizimana Muhanga 2
11. Adolphe Hakundukize Muhanga 2
12. Emmanuel Imanishimwe APR 2