An excellent early strike from forward Bonheur Sannu gave Mukura Victory Sports the three maximum points as they traveled to Kigali Pelé Stadium to beat Kiyovu Sports 1-0 in Sunday’s Rwanda Premier League encounter.

The Huye-based side gave Kiyovu no chance to settle in the game as they started piling pressure on them from the onset.

Mukura had a free kick 18 yards from the box after Justin Irumva was fouled in the 3rd minute.

Fred Niyonezeye delivered a precise kick which Bonheur Sannu headed into the net for the opener that silenced home supporters.

Kiyovu struggled to cope with the pace of the game as they failed to get the balls to Desire Mugisha and Sherif Bayo who led were leading the attack.

Agyenim Boateng broke loose on the right as he maintained his composure before sending a superb ball to Dimbumba. The midfielder hit a sublime volley which was beautifully saved by goalkeeper Djihad Nzeyurwanda in the 24th minute.

Mukura’s defense made up of new signing Abdul Jalilu, Zuberi Hakizimana, Abdul Ishimwe and Chris Rushema, remained resolute at the back as the Kiyovu’s attackers found it difficult to penetrate into the danger zone.

In the 45th minute, Sannu was tripped just a few meters from Kiyovu's penalty box but Niyonizeye’s free kick hit the wall.

The first half ended with Mukura leading the scores with 1-0.

After the break, the visitors continued their dominance. Agyenim Boateng engineered space and fired in a shot from 20 yards five minutes into the second half, but Nzeyurwanda calmly saved it.

Mukura centre back Abdul Ishimwe went out for treatment after suffering a knock in the 55th minute.

Kiyovu launched a quick counterattack in the 60th minute which saw Djuma Nizeyimana powering a ferocious drive, but goalkeeper Nicholas Sebwato made a good move to save it.

Mukura head coach Lotfi Afahmia brought on Vincent Adams for Jordan Dimbumba in the 62nd as he sought to bring creativity to his midfield.

It was proving to be a one-sided game with Mukura calling all the shots. Abdul Jalilu went on an overlapping run in the 70th run beating three Kiyovu players; he sent in a cross, but Sannu arrived late as the chance was missed.

Afahmia then brought on Samuel Pimpong for Sannu in the 75th minute as Boateng moved upfront as the number 9 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The change brought more urgency to the away side as they attacked from the wings

Pimpong dribbled past his marker and meandered his way into the Kiyovu penalty box before firing a shot which narrowly missed target in the 80th minute.

A minute later, Irumva fired a grounder inside the penalty box, but Nzeyurwanda saved it with his spread legs to the delight of the home fans.

Mukura put Kiyovu under intense pressure in the final 10 minutes of the game, but the home side defended gallantly as the game ended 1-0 in favor of the Yellow and Black side.

Other Games

In an earlier kickoff, veteran striker Emmanuel Okwi scored a 53rd minute goal as AS Kigali beat Gorilla 1-0.

Amagaju were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Gasogi United. The home side took a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half through Edouard Ndayishimiye and Hussein Cyiza before Govin Nshimiyimana and Serge Kabanda restored parity for Gasogi.

Newly promoted Rutsiro FC also shocked Bugesera with a hard fought 3-2 win in Nyamata in a five-goal thriller.

Marines FC beat Etincelles 2-0 at the Umuganda Stadium in the local derby while Police FC also pipped Musanze FC 1-0.