Thursday

AS Kigali 0-1 Sunrise

Bugesera 2-1 Gicumbi

Musanze 2-1 Amagaju

AS KIGALI suffered another blow on Thursday, this time losing 1-0 to Sunrise at Kigali Stadium which means they remain winless after six games into the 2018-19 Azam Rwanda Premier League.

This is the club’s worst start to a season in its 18-year history, having suffered two defeats and four draws, picking up four out of a possible 18 points.

New Tanzanian signing Jules Ulimwengu netted the lone goal of the game in the 22th minute to help Sunrise to seventh position – with seven points – from ninth.

The 2017/2018 season’s first runners-up started the new campaign with a 1-all draw against Musanze, then played out a goalless draw with Kirehe, which was followed by another 1-1 draw with Marines FC on match-day 3 before suffering their first loss, 2-0, at the hands of Etincelles at Kigali Stadium.

The City of Kigali-sponsored side then held in-form Mukura to a goalless stalemate on match-day 5 before going into a three-week break for international football.

"I am focused on trying to turn our fortunes around, and I am confident we will soon get there. I hate making excuses, but we have to put into account that I took charge of the team at a very critical time – when the season had just started,” Masudi said in a post-match interview.

The Burundian tactician has said that he is not fearing for his job despite the continued poor run of results.

He added, "The players overall had a good game and created many opportunities, it’s unfortunate that we again failed to win. We have to push our limits, raise our heads up and look at the next game.”

The 2013 Peace Cup winners – who are in tenth position, just three points ahead of bottom side Gicumbi – trail leaders APR and second-placed Mukura by 11 and 9 points, respectively.

Champions APR and Mukura have both played one game less.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw