APR FC won their fifth straight Primus National League title and following a hard fought 1-1 draw with Amagaju at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, May 12 in a 2023/24 Primus National League week 30 encounter.
The army side amassed 68 points and went unbeaten in 30 games winning 19 and drawing 11 times. It was their second time finishing the league campaign unbeaten.
The game had no significance on APR's position on the league table as they had already been declared champions.
The Kigali Pele stadium was packed to full capacity as the Lions lighted every corner of the stands.
Amagaju FC started the game brightly with Emmanuel Tuyishime and Seth Nkurunziza making incursions into the APR half.
Thierry Froger played Ismail Nshimirimana just infront of the back four to serve as the destroyer in midfield as he held his might against the visitors’s midfield.
Iptihaji Bizimana gave Amagaju a deserved lead in the 29th minute with a fine strike as the home side begun to chase the game.
APR had two glorious chances in the 39th and 42nd minute to pull even but Alain Bacca Kwitonda and Victor Mbaoma missed them as the first 45 minutes came to an end.
Musician Chris Eazy entertained the fans at half time as supporters danced to some of his popular tracks as part of club’s championship celebration fest.
Amars Niyongabo’s side began the second half strongly with in-form Abdul Rahman Rukundo flashing a shot across the phase of goal in the 50th minute only to go wide to the APR fans’ relief.
Amagaju again missed a glorious chance to go 2-0 up as Destin Makanda and Daniel Iradukunda fumbled in a two against one situation. Pavelh Ndzila saved the danger and the visitors turned defense into attack. Fitina Omborenga found space in the APR penalty box before hitting a shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 in the 58 minute.
Froger pulled out Ramadhan Niyibizi for Sharaf Shaiboub in the 65th minute as he sought to strengthen his midfield.
Shaiboub brought a lot of urgency in the play of APR FC with his direct approach and ability to create space.
Goalkeeper Patient Ndikuriyo pulled a superb save from a Gilbert Mugisha explosive strike before Shaiboub saw his long range drive missing target in the 75th minute
Amagaju played more compact as APR found it difficult to create spaces through the middle.
Ndikuriyo came to the rescue for Amagaju again as he pulled a stupendous save to deny Mbaoma a goal in the 80th minute.
As the game approached the fulltime, Shaiboub had a last chance to put APR ahead in the 93rd minute but saw his header from an Mbaoma cross missing target narrowly.
There were no further action as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game. APR who won the title with three games to spare have now gone unbeaten again after achieving the same feat during the 2021/22 season under the tutelage of Tunisian coach Adil Mohammed Erradi.
Table:
Club/Goal Difference / points
1. APR 30 68
2. Rayon 17 57
3. Musanze 10 53
4. Mukura 7 47
5. AS Kigali 1 46
6. Kiyovu 4 44
7. Police 1 39
8. Amagaju -1 39
9. Gasogi -3 36
10. Gorilla -7 35
11. Marines -10 35
12. Muhazi -8 33
13. Bugesera 2 32
14. Etincelles -9 32
15. Sunrise -15 32
16. Etoile -18 31