SC Kiyovu coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira has praised his team for shaking off a poor start in the Primus National Football League by beating arch-rivals Rayon Sport 2-0 at Nyamirambo’s regional stadium.

"I’m delighted and the team is delighted with Sunday’s performance,” Ntagwabira, who has also coached APR and Atraco said.

"Overall, I’m very proud of the team. The lads have recovered well from a slow start and deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.”

Meanwhile, his opposite number Emmanuel Ruremesha bemoaned three or four eight clear cut chances which his side missed and said Kiyovu punished them for every mistake they made.

Kiyovu who had garnered a lot of support in the off season after lifting the pre-season Primus Cup endured a bad start after picking one point from their opening three games; back to back defeats against AS Kigali and defending champions APR, and a 1-all draw against one of the league’s new boys - La Jeunesse.

However, wins against Musanze, Muhanga and now Rayon have seen the green baggies rise into third place with ten points.

And while there is still an eight-point difference with league leaders APR, Ntagwabira insists that the gap is not insurmountable.

"At the moment, they are favorites to win the league but the second half of the season is congested with many games and I think they will struggle a bit,” he said.

"Our focus is to keep winning and hope that APR drops points.”

Kiyovu will play Marines tomorrow at Mumena artificial turf.

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