APR edge Rayon to reach Peace Cup semis

2014 Peace Cup Quarter final, Yesterday Rayon Sports 1-2 APR SC Kiyovu 1-0 Espoir Saturday Police 2-1 Musanze Friday Sec Academy 4-0 Amagaju Semi final Tuesday, 1st leg SEC Academy vs. Police APR vs. SC Kiyovu NATIONAL league giants APR booked a place in the semi finals of the 2014 Peace Cup competition after registering a 2-1 win over arch rivals Rayon Sports yesterday at Kigali Regional stadium. The military side was the first to make a close attempt when striker Barnabe Mubumbyi picked Jean Claude Iranzi’s cross but his shot went wide. Rayon Sport’s Meddie Kagere also had his fabulous header going wide after picking on a good cross from Karim Nizigiyimana. APR and Amavubi goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli made two reflex saves off Leon Uwambazimana shot which was rebounded by Meddie Kagere as the blues dominated in search of an opening goal. As Rayon dominated the field of play, APR coach Vincent Mashami made a tactical substitution replacing Andrew Buteera with Tumaine Ntamuhanga. The substitution paid off as Ntamuhanga connected a set piece to Mubumbyi who unleashed a thunderbolt shot past Jean Luc Ndayishimiye on the 32nd minute. The lead was doubled by impressive defender Ismail Nshutiyamagara who scored a stunning header on 37th minute from Emery Bayisenge’s free kick. After recess, Michel Ndahinduka wasted an opportunity to score the third goal as Ndayishimiye rose from the stands to save the ball off the crossbar. The blues dominated the better part of the second half keeping Ndoli busy until the 53rd minute when he could not stop Meddie Kagere from finding the net with a good header from Aprodis Hategikimana’s free kick. Kagere squandered another opportunity after beating defensive duo of Bayisenge and Nshutiyamagara only to be intercepted by Michel Rusheshangonga. Djamal Mwiseneza was also guilty of wasting a good feed from Uwambazimana. The last touch of the second half should have led to another goal for APR but Michel Ndahinduka failed to score past Ndayishimiye who made a brilliant ball save which rebounded to Iranzi but his attempt went wide. APR, the seven time winners of the Peace Cup, will face SC Kiyovu in the semi final round. SC Kiyovu edged Espoir 1-0 to book a place in the last four. In the other semi final tie, Police who beat Musanze 2-1 on Saturday will take on SEC Academy who ousted Amagaju 4-0 on Friday. The first leg will be played on Tuesday while the return legs have been scheduled for June 27 with the final slated for July 4, when the country celebrates Liberation Day.