Etoile de l'Est’s hopes of playing in the Primus National League topflight football next season got yet another boost as Sunday’s narrow 1-0 win over Marines FC at Ngoma Stadium moved them to within just one point to relegation safety.
Midfielder Daniel Muhoza scored the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute to give his side three crucial points and close the gap between them and 14th place Sunrise who had to come from behind to beat Gorilla FC 2-1.
Etoile coach Kwaku Amapakabo kept faith in his full squad from their last two games with Godspower Gabriel, also leading their attack.
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They started the game slowly but they built confidence and bombarded Marines’ penalty box of with series of attacking threats until Muhoza fired them ahead on the stroke of half time as they completely took control of proceedings.
In the second half, both teams played a compact game but it was Etoile who looked lively as they continued to pile pressure on their opponents.
Marines could have conceded many goals it hadn’t been for goalkeeper Jean Luc Tuyizere who made a series of good saves to deny Etoile from scoring on several occasions as the game ended 1-0 for Etoile.
Etoile remain at the bottom of the league table with 28 points.
Sunrise win at the death
Midfielder Prosper Nzabonimana the hero as his brace, including a stoppage time winner, helped Sunrise FC come from behind to complete a 2-1 comeback against Gorilla FC on Sunday, April 28 at Nyagatare Stadium and keep their hopes of avoiding relegation after just one season in the topflight league.
It was a game of two halves as Gorilla FC dominated the first half and took a lead through Mohammed Camara before Sunrise FC came back strongly in the second half to snatch an equalizer in the 85th minute through Nzabonimana before scoring the match winner in the 93rd minute to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Sunrise are have now climbed to 14th place on the table with 29 points.
Guard of honor to the champions!
APR FC head coach Thierry and his players had yet another piece of celebrations when Gasogi United gave a guard of honor to the 2024/24 Primus National League champions before the Day 28 match between the two sides started.
Gasogi were, however, close to blowing the military side’s mission to finish the league campaign unbeaten when Christian Mpanzi scored the opener in the 65th minute but in-form forward Gilbert Mugisha came to the rescue and equalized in the 81st minute to keep the army side’s unbeaten run alive.