Rayon Sport on brink of title

Six-time league champions Rayon Sport could seal this season’s league title, the first in nine odd years if they win their mid-week Primus league tie against Musanze.

Monday, May 13, 2013
Rayon Sport players celebrating their previous league win. The Nyanza-based club just needs one point in their next game to clinch its first Primus League crown in nine years. The New Times / File.

Six-time league champions Rayon Sport could seal this season’s league title, the first in nine odd years if they win their mid-week Primus league tie against Musanze.Rayon Sport kept up their chase for this season’s Primus league title with a 6-1 mauling of over neighbours AS Muhanga at Amahoro stadium, yesterday, to go five points clear of second-placed Police who blew their slim chances following a goalless draw against Espoir at Kicukiro turf.Burundian import Cedric Amissi and Kambale Salita snatched a double each, while Muhanga’s Azziz Shyirakumutima scored an own goal before substitute defender Gad Niyonshuti sealed the rout with a sixth goal.AS Muhanga were reduced to ten men in the second half as their consolation goal scorer Simeon Kipangira received his second booking of the game. Amissi is the top league’s scorer with 14 goals, one head of his team-mate Salita.At Kicukiro, Police failed to find the back of the net, thus easing pressure on rivals Rayon Sport to lift the Primus league title, if they win their mid week tie against Musanze.Rayon Sport now lead the log with 54 points from 24 matches, five points ahead of Police. The Blues will be crowned the 2012/13 champions with 57 points if they beat Musanze at Amahoro stadium.Their head coach Didier Gomes da Rosa said: "We are happy with the result because the mission has been accomplished. We went into the game with the mission of winning this crucial game which would boost our chances of winning the Primus league title.”"I am happy with the performance of the players who have shown much determination as well as the fans who have been supportive throughout the entire game,” he said."We have edged closer to writing history for the club by winning the Primus league title,” added Gomes who took over the reigns in November last year.AS Muhanga coach Ali Bizimungu, who had vowed to spoil Rayon Sport’s party, said: "There is nothing much I can say. I was missing three key players and I knew it would be a difficult game like it turned out to be, thus the loss by such a big margin,”Defending champions APR FC maintained their grip on the third position with a 3-1 win over relegation-bound Isonga FC. Jean Claude scored a double while Maxime Sekamana struck late on to help the military side acquire 45 points. Papy Sibomana scored Isonga’s consolation goal but the team remains in drop zone. Elsewhere, another relegation-bound team, Etincelles, forced SC Kiyovu to a 1-all draw at Mumena stadium. Etincelles are still bottom of the log tied on 15 points with Isonga FC.Marines, who are 12th on the Primus log with 21 points, lost their home tie against Amagaju, while Mukura was beaten at home 1-0 by Musanze, who are tied on 33 points with AS Kigali and SC Kiyovu.The Primus league’s match day 25 will be played on Wednesday with seven matches lined up across the country. Besides Rayon Sport’s clash against Musanze, Amagaju will host Police in Nyamagabe; Mukura travel to Rusizi to play Espoir, AS Muhanga host SC Kiyovu in Muhanga; Marines square off against Marines at Stade de Kigali, while APR will take on La Jeunesse at Mumena turf.The battle of who gets out of  the drop zone, with two matches to the end of the season, will see Etincelles take on Isonga FC at Umuganda stadium.