APR to face Police FC in semi-finals

Today Azam vs El Meriekh Atlabara vs KCCA Yesterday Police 0-0 Atletico (9-8) APR 2-2 Rayon Sports (4-3) Police football club will face APR in Cecafa Kagame Cup semi-finals on Friday at Amahoro National Stadium after both sides overcame their quarter-final opponents on penalty shootouts yesterday at Kigali regional stadium. APR beat archrivals Rayon Sports 4-3 on spot kicks after both sides drew 2-2 in normal time in an entertaining game played in-front of a capacity crowd. Skipper Ismael Nshutinamagara missed for APR as his kick went well wide of the goal post but Yannick Mukunzi, Eric Rutanga, Charles Tibingana and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza scored their spot kicks. For Rayon Sports, defender James Tubane missed the first penalty kick which was saved by keeper Olivier Kwizera while skipper Faude Ndayisengas penalty hit the post. Kambale Salite, Abouba Sibomana and Govin Motombo successfully converted theirs. APR opened the scoring in normal time through striker Michel Ndahinduka on the 13th minute before Bertrand Yossa cancelled it out with an overhead kick on the 40th minute. Ndayisenga put the ‘Blues’ ahead with long range attempt from over 30 yards, which caught Kwezira off guard and ended into the top corner on 45+1 minute. After the break, APR coach Vincent Mashami pulled off striker Bernabe Mubumbyi for midfielder Yannick Mukunzi as he wanted to dominate the midfield, and his tactics paid off as APR won two back to back corners and it was from the second that defender Elve Rugwiro headed in the equalizer off Djamar Mwiseneza’s cross. Rugwiro started in the place of injured Emery Bayisenge, who pulled his left hamstring in the group game against Gor Mahia of Kenya. Both sides missed scoring opportunities in either half. Rayon Sports missed through Ndayisenga, Kambale Salite and Gueli Kofi. APR’s chances came from Jean Claude Iranzi, Mugiraneza and Ndahinduka, who all failed to beat their former teammate Jean Luc Ndayishimiye in goal for Rayon. The army side will now face another local rival Police FC in the semifinals after the debutants also needed penalty shootouts to overcome Burundian team Atletico 9-8 penalties following a goalless 90 minutes. It needed eleven players for both sides to decide who is going into the semi-finals of the regional tournament but it was the home team that finally prevailed. Andre Cassa mbungo’s side won through successful kicks by Peter Kagabo, Moussa Mutuyimana, Gbriel Mugabo, Jacques Tuyisenge, Mousa Habimana, Eric Ngendahimana, Fabrice Twagizimana, Peter Kagabo and goalie Nzarora. Fredrick Ndaka and Jimmy Mbaraga missed their spot kicks for Police. The Burundian side, who are coached by former Mukura coach, Cedreic Kaze, missed three penalties, from Tresor Mugabo, Emedi Kandolo Akimana, and Fiston Nzomukunda. But Hassan Bukuru, Hassan Hakizimna, Noah Akanakimana, Patient Muhuza, Issa Dieudone, Zacharie Hakizimana and Ramadhan Nduwimana scored theirs. The quarter-final action continues today when El Mereikh of Sudan take on Tanzanian champions Azam FC at 2:30pm before KCCA come up against South Sudan outfit Atlabara, kickoff at 5pm—both matches are at Kigali Regional Stadium.