Espoir on Friday beat Police at Bugesera Stadium to earn much-needed three points that boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation.

The victory, their second of the season, ended the Rusizi-based club’s 15-game winless streak in Rwanda Premier League.

Clément Iradukunda gave Espoir an early lead after 15 minutes of the game before Evode Ntwali equalized for the law enforcers five minutes later.

But Tresor Ndikumana’s 51st minute winner secured three points of the game for an Espoir side that tasted a victory for the first time since August 19, 2022 when they beat Marine 1-0 in league opener held in Rusizi.

The law enforcers started off the game the better side but squandered several clear chances before the visitors capitalized the only chance they got to break the deadlock in the 15th minute before Vincent Mashami’s men responded with an equalizer after just five minutes to go into the halftime break level.

Espoir were hoping to grab a winner which they achieved six minutes from the second half through Ndikumana to take home all three points.

With the victory, the club climbed to 15th on the table with 10 points, three shy of the relegation zone.