2023/24 Primus National League in numbers
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
APR FC players and staff celebrate the 22nd national league title after playing a 1-1 draw against Amagaju FC at Kigali Pele stadium on May 12. APR won 19 games, drew 11 times and lost zero games. Mugwiza

The 2023/24 Rwanda Primus National League season came to an end on Sunday, May 12 with champions APR FC lifting the coveted title for the fifth time in a row.

It was a virtually easy run for the army side which won the trophy with three games to spare unlike the two previous seasons where they endured a nerve-wrecking end by lifting the trophy on the last day, taking advantage of Kiyovu Sports’ slip up on both occasions.

The race to stay in the top flight was also a tight one with as many as five clubs knowing their fate on the final day.

Generally, it was an excellent season full of action, drama, shocks and thrillers.

Times Sport presents to you what statistics from the 2023/24 campaign indicate.

APR go 30 games unbeaten

The army side, coached by departing Thierry Froger, went unbeaten for the second time in four years.

In the just-concluded league campaign, APR won 19 games, drew 11 times and lost zero games. The last time they went unbeaten was in the 2019/20 season. They went on the last 50 matches without a loss until Mukura Victory Sports broke the unbeaten run.

518 goals scored

In a total of 480 games played throughout the season, 518 goals were scored which averages 1.07 goals per game. This is an improvement from the 510 scored in the 2021/22 season.

APR were unstoppable in attack and they were the highest scoring team with 47 goals in the league this season.

On individual note, Nigerian duo Elijah Ani (Bugesera FC) and Victor Mbaoma (APR FC) finished the campaign as joint league top scorers with 15 goal apiece.

Fewest goals scored

Etoile netted 20 goals in 30 games throughout the season which was the lowest in the league and they ultimately finished last on the league table.

Least number of wins

Muhazi United and Bugesera FC, who finished 12th and 13th respectively, had seven wins each out of the 30 games which was the least in the competition.

Most/fewest goals conceded

Etincelles conceded whopping 44 goals in 30 games which was the highest in the 2023/24 Primus National League. However, they still managed to stay in the topflight league after finishing above relegation (14th).

Meanwhile, champions APR FC let in only 17 goals in 30 games which was the lowest by a club in the2023/24 season.

They, however, failed to equal Kiyovu Sports’ record of conceding just 16 goals in 30 games during the 2021/22 season.

Muhazi United the draw masters

Muhazi United could have probably finished in the top four if they had won all the games they drew. In 30 games, they had 12 draws which was the highest in the PNL. They are closely followed by champions APR who had 11, Kiyovu 11 and Bugesera 11.

Police record fewest points in second round

Despite winning the Peace Cup and Heroes Cup double, Vincent Mashami’s Police FC (11 defeats, 2 draws and 2 victories) had a dismal second round of the league campaign. The law enforcers hold an unwanted record as the team with fewest points in the second round where they collected just eight points from a possible 45.

Police FC also recorded the lowest number of wins (two) way behind even relegate sides Etoile de l’Est and Sunrise (four each). Bugesera FC and Etincelles managed three victories each in the second round.

Two goals from a goalkeeper

Mukura Victory Sports goalkeeper Nicholas Sebwato made history by being the first goalkeeper in the PNL to score two goals from open play.

The Ugandan shot stopper headed home a dramatic 95th minute equalizer in 1-1 draw against Kiyovu SC before scoring the opening goal through a free kick as Mukura beat Gasogi United 2-1.