Rayon beat AS Kigali to climb to second spot

Defending champions Rayon Sports beat AS Kigali 2-1 in the national football league yesterday at Stade de Kigali to move into second place on the log but level on 22 points with the City of Kigali side.On Saturday, APR’s 2-1 victory over Amagaju took the military side to the summit of the league for the first time this season, with 23 points albeit with a game in hand – against SC Kiyovu.Meddie Kagere put Rayon Sports ahead on the 20th minute after finishing a superb move that involved midfielders Robert Ndatimana and Djamar Mwiseneza.And, it was again Ndatimana who dispossessed AS Kigali midfielder Jean Pierre Mabula before combining well with Cedric Amiss and Kagere to set up skipper Fuadi Ndayisenga, who beat AS Kigali goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure with a crisp shot for the second goal on the hour mark.AS Kigali continued to pile pressure on Rayon Sports defenders and Andre Gasambungo’s boys got back into the game three minutes after going 2 goals down when Mabula finished a swift counter attacker to make it 2-1.But they could not complete what would have been a great comeback, with Rayon claiming all three points.Both sides played an open and exciting game for 90 minutes but both defence lines were also generally cautious not to make costly mistakes.AS Kigali players, however, will have themselves to blame for their profligacy in front of goal as they wasted several good chances in either half.But it was joy for Rayon Sports coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa, who was mobbed by a huge number of fans on the field after the match.Rayon Sports had the better of the chances during the early exchanges with Burundian midfielder-cum-striker Amissi, skipper Ndayisenga and Rwanda international Kagere all wasting clear chances.AS Kigali also had the opportunity to test goalie Jean Luc Ndayishimiye in the first half when Amini Mwizerwa, Bodo Ndikumana and skipper Mbaraga missed on separate occasions.Elsewhere, Marines beat Esperance 2-0 at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu, AS Muhanga piped Gicumbi 1-0, while the match between Musanze and Etincelles in Musanze ended goalless.