PHOTOS: Ngagne hits brace as Rayon Sports edge AS Kigali 
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Rayon Sports players celebrate after beating city rivals AS Kigali 3-1 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, December 14. All photos by Craish Bahizi

Senegalese striker Fall Ngagne scored two goals in either half as Rayon Sports defeated City rivals AS Kigali 3-1 in crunch Rwanda Premier League clash at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, December 14.

Adama Bagayogo and Ngagne scored two quick goals in the space of two minutes to power to give Rayon a 2-0 lead at the break before AS Kigali halved the deficit in the 78th minute courtesy of an Osee Iyabivuze penalty.

Midfielder Abdul Rahman Rukundo’s hear in the 90th minute saw the Blues cruising to a 3-1 win to open a nine-point lead at the top.

Rayon created the first chance of the game in the 8th minute as Bagayogo’s strike was saved by AS Kigali’s Adolphe Hakizimana.

The tempo of the game was very high as both teams avoided wasting on the ball.

AS Kigali were swift each time they broke through the wings. Ilias Rucohoza found Shaban Hussein with a fine cross in the 17th minute but the striker's bicycle kick missed the post.

Rayon Sports goalkeeper Khadime Ndiaye went down injured in the 23rd minute following an aerial tussle with Osee Iyabivuze. He was treated and got back to his feet as the game continued.

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AS Kigali’s centre back Jean Bosco Akayezu made his side a no goal area as he gallantly defended and prevented danger man Bagayogo from seeing much of the ball.

Rayon Sports were unable to break down AS Kigali midfield, prompting their defense to shoot from afar. Roger Kanamugire and Bagayogo all tried their luck from 30 yards in the 31st and 37th minutes but their efforts sailed over the bar.

Rayon had a free kick at the edge of the AS Kigali penalty area following a foul on Kevin Muhire in the 40th minute. Bagayogo&039;s kick was spilled by goalkeeper Hakizimana and centre back Aimable Nsabimana headed the rebound off target.

Nsabimana was booked in the 42nd minute for pulling the jersey of Hussein Shabani as the AS Kigali skipper tried to launch a counter attack. The resulting kick was wasted by Rucogoza.

There was four minutes of time added after the 45 minutes and both teams held on to a 0-0 first half draw.

Rayon Sports coach Robertinho brought on Aziz Bassane for Kanga Junior at the beginning of the second half as the Congolese winger was lost in the game.

Bagayogo shot Rayon ahead with a fine strike from the right in the 48th minute before Ngagne made it 2-0 a minute later after latching onto a superb pass from midfield and slotting it past shot stopper Hakizimana.

AS Kigali brought on Saleh Ishimwe and Didier Ndayishimiye for Armel Ghyslain and Marc Nkubana respectively in the 58th minute as they sought to strengthen their midfield.

Rayon Sports right back Ali Serumogo was booked in the 72nd minute for tripping Osee Iyabivuze but free kick was wasted.

AS Kigali pulled out their captain Shabani Hussein for Aboubakar Saidi in the 73rd minute whereas Robertinho also made a tactical substitution, bu introducing Abdul Rahman Rukundo for Bagayogo.

The Citizens were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute following an infringement in the Rayon Sports penalty box. Osee Iyabivuze stepped up and exquisitely slotted home to make it 2-1.

The goal boosted the Citizens’ confidence as they looked to even the scores before full time.

Centre back Franklin Onyeabor was booked in the 84th for a foul on Aziz Bassane who had been dangerous with his direct runs since coming on.

Olivier Niyonzima then came on for Roger Kanamugire in the 85th minute as the Blues tried to add more cover in midfield.

AS Kigali also brought on Christophe Bukuru in the 86th minute for Tharcisse Nshimiyimana as the central midfielder faced his former employers.

After the 90 minutes had elapsed, there was five minutes of injury time added. Rayon made an incursion in the 93rd but Ngagne who had drifted to the left saw his effort flying off target.

Rukundo made it 3-1 for Rayon Sports in the 95th minute as he headed home a corner from Kevin Muhire as the Blues recorded another massive win