APR close to league title

Yesterday Espoir 1-2 APREsperance 0-4 Rayon SportsAS Muhanga 1-3 PoliceMusanze 1-1 AS KigaliMarines 2-1 GicumbiAmagaju 4-1 MukuraSC Kiyovu 2-1 Etincelles THIRTEEN-TIME LEAGUE holders APR FC are one match away to becoming this year’s Turbo King Football League champions. The military side edged closer to winning their 14th league title after securing a hard-earned 2-1 win over hosts Espoir yesterday in Rusizi. Jean Baptista Mugiraneza put the visitors ahead, scoring a brilliant header on 57th minute but three minutes later, Andre Lomami cancelled out the lead with superb finishing. It took the military side over 30 minutes to be assured of a win when defender Eric Rutanga curled home a brilliant free kick past Ugandan goalkeeper Shamiru Batte, scoring the winner which sent APR fans into jubilations. With all matches being played at the same time, defending champions Rayon Sports thrashed relegation battling side Esperance 4-0 at Kigali Regional Stadium. Midfielder Leon Uwambazimana scored a brace on 11th and 55thminute before skipper Fuadi Ndayisenga scored a sterling free kick while Papy Kamanzi replaced waste less Meddie Kagere to thump a volley past Esperance goalkeeper Alphonse Niyonzima. With both clubs winning their respective matches, the league title will now be decided on the final round of the season due next week though APR are in an upper position to claim the title. APR FC is on top of the table with 61 points from 25 matches played this season. The club has won 18 matches, scoring 41 goals and their final quest will be against relegated side AS Muhanga set to be played at Kigali Regional Stadium turf on May 4. Rivals Rayon Sport are two points behind and will only need a miracle to retain the title. Should they win their final match against Musanze at Mumena on May 4 and hope that APR stumbles, then the Nyanza-based club can rest be assured of retaining the title. Relegation battle Southern Province based side Amagaju exhibited drastic performances as they hammered Mukura 4-1 to escape the relegation zone. Coach Godfroid Okoko has now jumped out of the relegation zone. They are placed 12th, tied on 20 points with Esperance but have a superior goal difference over their rivals. A draw for Amagaju against Etincelles in their final game will guarantee safety to Okoko’s outfit as Esperance needs a win and a maximum of eight goals against Gicumbi next weekend to be assured of their stay in the top flight league. AS Muhanga who suffered a 1-5 defeat over visitors Police sit bottom of the table with 18 points and if they can pull surprise win against title favourites APR in the final match of the season, then coach Ali Bizimungu’s side can continue to feature in next year’s league season. Elsewhere, AS Kigali maintained their stand on third position with 47 points after a 1-all draw away to Musanze while Police remain fourth with 44 points after a 3-1 win away to AS Muhanga. SC Kiyovu jumped to fifth position with 40 points with a 2-1 win over visitors Etincelles as Marines defeated Gicumbi 2-1 in Rubavu.