Chaos as Rayon Sports stumble in league race

TKFL RESULTS Rayon Sports 1-1 AS KigaliAPR 3-0 AmagajuEtincelles 2-2 MusanzeMukura 3-0 SC KiyovuPolice 2-3 EspoirGicumbi 3-0 AS MuhangaEsperance 1-0 Marines Ugly scenes erupted at Amahoro National Stadium last evening after Rayon Sports lost two crucial points in the quest for a second successive football league title, at the hands of a resilient AS Kigali. --READ ALSO: There is no room for sports hooliganism in today’s society-- That result, 1-1, coupled with archrivals APR’s 3-0 thrashing of Amagaju on the same day, was too much for the Blues fans to bare, with some going berserk, prompting police to intervene. Trouble started at the final whistle when Belgian head coach Luc Eymael and Burundian striker Cedric Amissi confronted match referee Gervais Munyanziza, protesting what they considered insufficient added time. The actions saw Munyanziza issue a straight red-card to Amissi, which sparked angry reactions from Rayon Sports camp, who had seen their team hand the initiative to APR, effectively throwing the champions’ title bid in jeopardy. Police later said it had arrested 12 people in connection with the chaos. It took police officers about an hour to restore sanity in and outside the stadium as some fans resorted to pelting stones, which mainly affected the dressing rooms section, as well as offices for different sports federations that operate inside the Amahoro stadium. In a statement later, Police warned football fans and other sports fanatics over “misbehavior during sports activities”. The police said fans had tried to “vandalise facilities by throwing stones and other objects resulting into breaking some window glasses at the stadium”. “Police intervened immediately and controlled the situation. All officials were evacuated unharmed and 12 people were arrested and detained in connection with this incident. They are currently detained at Remera Police Station as investigations continue,” the statement signed by Police Spokesperson, ACP Damas Gatare, said. The police said they were working with the football governing body, (Ferwafa) and other sports associations to prevent such misconducts in the future. The result saw the Blues lose their grip on the top of the national football league, now trailing leaders APR FC with two points. During the game, Rayon wasted many goal scoring opportunities. Amin Mwizerwa scored the opening goal for the visitors in the 5th minute with a superb header before Arafat Serugendo equalised for Rayon with a brilliant finish twelve minutes later. Amissi, Meddie Kagere, Papy Kamanzi and Leon Uwambajimana were all culprits as they missed several chances in second half. Emery Mvuyekure was phenomenal in goal for AS Kigali, with a couple of brilliant saves. APR go two clear APR FC who are looking for a 14th league title yesterday continued their match towards the League glory with a 3-0 win over Amagaju to move two points clear at the top of the log, with two rounds of games left. Goals from Barnabe Mubumbyi, Sulaiman Kakira and Patrick Sibomana earned the military side crucial points. APR have 58 points Amagaju, who lost their 15th league match, are rooted at the bottom of the log with 17 points, while AS Kigali look determined to seal the third place in the league. APR will play away to Espoir in Rusizi on April 26, before hosting AS Muhanga at Kicukiro turf on May 3, while second-placed Rayon will face Esperance and Musanze on April 26 and May 3, respectively. In other matches, Sam Ssimbwa’s side suffered a humiliating 3-2 defeat against Espoir at Kicukiro turf. Espoir moved into fifth position with 38 points, three points behind Police who occupy fourth slot. Mukura remained in eighth position with 25 points after thrashing Gilbert Yaounde Kanyankole’s SC Kiyovu side 3-0 in Muhanga. Burundian import Claude Nahimana scored a hat trick for the Huye side. Battle for relegation escape Meanwhile, Esperance moved out of relegation zone after registering a 1-0 win over visitors Marines at Mumena turf. Esperance are now in 12th with 19 points, one point behind Marines. Jean Baptista Kayiranga’s Gicumbi FC thrashed AS Muhanga 3-0 to ensure their stay in the topflight league. They moved into ninth position with 24 points, while AS Muhanga dropped into the red zone, with 18 points. In Rubavu, Etincelles and Musanze settled for a 2-all draw to remain in tenth and sixth positions, with 22 and 37 points, respectively.