Tuesday

SC Kiyovu                             Vs      Gicumbi (Mumena Stadium)

Kirehe                                    Vs      Musanze (Nyakarambi)

Etincelles                              Vs      Police (Umuganda Stadium)

Mukura Victory Sports     Vs      Espoir (Huye Stadium)

Sunday

Rayon Sports                       1-0   AS Kigali

Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves de Calmo has saluted Rayon Sports’ striker Michel Sarpong for inspiring his side to Sunday’s win over AS Kigali on the seventh day of the 20181/19 Azam Premier League season.

A second half strike from Michel Sarpong saw Rayon Sports beat AS Kigali at Kigali Stadium, piling more presseure on their coach Djuma Masudi, the man now in charge of the Kigali city-sponsored side.  

The Ghanaian forward scored a delightful goal with a header in the 47th minute from a Djabel Manishimwe rebound. 

"Sarpong is doing a fantastic job,” the Brazilian coach said of his striker. He also praised his defenders for the entire team.

"I told the boys, ‘you guys can score goals’… It is a proud moment for me,” he added.

AS Kigali’s closest attempts came through Jean Claude Ndarusanze, Frank Kalanda, Fuadi Ndayisenga, and Eric Nsabimana, all of whom were thwarted by Abouba Bashunga, who was excellent in goal. 

Notably, Rayon defence put in a solid performance helping the blues to dominate the first half in particular. AS Kigali improved in the second half but it was all in vain.

Rayon Sports should have been two or even three goals up by half time with the hosts taking six corners and missing a series of clear chances through among other others Olivier Niyonzima and Yannick Mukunzi, whose attempts were well saved by Batte Shamiru.

Masudi’s team saw their best opportunity fall to Ndayisenga. 

Following the win, Rayon Sports are now in third place with 15 points and are level with second-placed APR, who however have two games in hand.

AS Kigali’s defeat saw them drop to second from relegation zone with four points.

Mukura Victory Sports lead the table with 16 points after their 1-0 win over AS Muhanga in a Southern Province derby on Saturday. 

Burundian-born Christophe Ndayishime scored the lone goal in first half for the Francis Christian Haringingo’s side which took them one point ahead of defending champions APR.

Police beat Marines 3-2 thanks to Peter Otema and Osee Iyabivuze, who scored a brace, while Marines netted through Cedric Samba and Saleh Nyirinkindi. Joel Albert Mphande’s team are in fourth with 15 points, and are level with APR and Rayon Sports in terms of points accumulated thus far.

On Saturday, Amagaju played out goalless draw against Kirehe, while Espoir humiliated Etincelles 4-1.

Earlier on Friday Gicumbi drew 1-1 against Musanze while Bugesera beat SC Kiyovu 1-0.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw