Ntagwabira sends warning to rivals as new season nears

Primus Cup

Final

Kiyovu 2-1 Rayon Sports

Third place playoff

Marines 1-4 APR

JEAN Marie Ntagwabira led SC Kiyovu to their first silverware of any sort in seven years after his team beat archrivals Rayon Sports 2-1 in the final of the Preseason Primus Cup played yesterday at Nyamirambo stadium.

After drawing first blood of the season, the former APR and Atraco coach sent a chilling warning to his rivals, "We’re coming for the league title”.

Goals from Daddy Birori and Berci Mamuma after just 12 minutes were enough to seal a thoroughly deserved win for Kiyovu. Bonaventure Hategekimana scored Rayon’s consolation at the start of the second half.

Former Atraco striker Birori opened the scoring after just seven minutes and five minutes later, Ntagwabira’s much improved side were 2-0 up.

Rayon goalkeeper Djuma Nsanzamahoro brought down Birori in the box and referee Issa Kagabo not only gave the penalty but also sent off the offender, and the first thing the substitute keeper Ismail Mfashingabo did was the pick Bamuma’s resulting spot kick from the back of the net.

Rayon were second best from the start and with a man less, their task was made even harder against a Kiyovu side that seemed to be playing with a lot of confidence.

But two minutes into the second half, former Rwandan international Hategekimana gave Emmanuel Ruremesha’s struggling side a lifeline when he converted a penalty, which was awarded after Marcel Lomami impeded Sina Jerome inside the box.

But despite dominating the closing moments, Kiyovu could not get a third goal but still held on to claim the first title of the season before a fully packed Nyamirambo stadium.
Ntagwabira said, "As always, you feel happy when your team wins a competition, no matter how big or small it is.”

"To beat Rayon obviously makes the win even more satisfying, but we definitely don’t want to be taken away by winning this competition. Out target is the league. This team is going to stay together and we want to see what we can do when the season starts,” the former Rwandan international midfielder noted cautiously.

Meanwhile, last season’s treble winners, APR hammered Marines 4-1 to take third place, with goals coming from Ernest Kwizera, Emmanuel Sebanani, Albert Ngabo and Ismail Nshutinamagara. Marines got one back through their skipper Pappy Kamanzi.

For their win, Kiyovu took home Frw 5m as top prize on top of the trophy, Rayon Frw 3m, while APR and Marines walked away with Frw 2m and Frw 1m respectively.

The new Primus National League season kicks off on September 9.

Ends