TKFL

YesterdaySC Kiyovu 0-0 Rayon SportsGicumbi 1-1 Police Espoir 2-1 AS KigaliEtincelles 0-0 AS Muhanga 

THE much anticipated first Kigali derby of the 2013/14 Turbo King National Football League season between old enemies SC Kiyovu and Rayon Sports ended in a goalless draw at a nearly full Amahoro national stadium on Saturday.

It was a typical early season encounter between two sides that simply love to hate each other as neither team showed enough quality to win the match, but the champions Rayon Sports had midfielder Abouba Sibomana sent off with five minutes to the end for elbowing an opponent.

Rayon coach Didier Gomes da Rosa went into the game without injured Faustin Usegimana and suspended skipper Fuadi Ndayisenga but handed Ugandan striker Samson Jackesh his debut.

As for SC Kiyovu’s Gilbert Yaoundé Kanyankole, he was without the two Girukwishaka brothers, Jean and Michel, who have not yet completed their transfer, while his other new signing, Christian Mbirizi missed the match after he been given time off to travel back to Bujumbura for his brother’s funeral. 

The opening few moments of the game resembled a tête-à-tête, with Kiyovu and Rayon Sports both launching attacks which ended unsuccessfully. 

It was however the hosts, Kiyovu, who dominated the first half with the enterprising Ally Musa and Hussein Habimana running over Rayon Sports’ midfield. 

Laudit Mavugo, Ally Musa and Habimana all had good chances to score for Kanyankore’s side but were all put at bay by the outstanding Rayon keeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye. 

The strike partnership of Meddie Kagere, Jackesh and last season’s top scorer and Player of the Year, Amiss Cedric didn’t do much to threaten Kiyovu goalkeeper Andre Mazimpaka.

Rayon Sports supporters were the happiest of the two sets of fans as their team had a fairly lackluster opening 30-40 minutes, with their first real attempt at goal coming in the 41st minute.

Only five minutes later Kiyovu fans would have had their hearts in their mouths when Kagere failed to convert a clear header off Karim Nizigiyimana’s cross, his attempt went inches wide. 

Two halves

In a game of two halves, second half substitute Abouba Sibomana saw his goal-bound long range shot deflected by Mukamba Musombwa for a Rayon Sports corner kick which resulted into nothing.

The Blues continued their dominance of the second half, with Amiss and Kagere both missing opportunities to win the game for the champions, who were looking for a second win in the opening two league matches. 

Julius Bakkabulindi, Yussuf Habimana and Ally Musa had Kiyovu’s best scoring opportunities in the second period but Rayon defence, marshaled by former Kiyovu defender Arafat Serugendo sand Hussein Sibomana stood firm to deny their former team a first win of the season, having been held 1-1 by Musanze on the opening weekend.

Sibomana became Rayon Sports player to be sent off in as many league matches after he was rightly spotted by referee Gervais Munyanziza when he elbowed Musombwa with five minutes to full time. 

Elsewhere, Sam Ssimbwa’s Police FC were held to a 1-all draw by home side Gicumbi FC, while Espoir registered their first win of the season after a 2-1 home victory over Peace Cup winners AS Kigali in Rusizi. 

Etincelles recorded a second successive goalless draw after holding AS Muhanga in Rubavu. They also drew with Amagaju last weekend.

Police, Espoir and Rayon Sports lead the table with four points, but APR and Mukura, who play on Sunday, can move above them with wins over Esperance FC and Marines respectively.