Big guns off to winning starts in close contests

Sunday Gicumbi 0-1 Police (Gicumbi) APR 1-0 Musanze (Stade de Kigali) SC Kiyovu 2-0 Marines (Mumena) Sunrise 0-1 AS Kigali (Rwamagana) Champions APR and last year’s runners-up Police both started the new season to narrow 1-0 wins against Musanze and Gicumbi, respectively, in the National Football league. That was a day after both Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu secured victories on the first day of the 2014/15 national football season, while AS Kigali also bagged all three points. APR midfielder Patrick Sibomana scored the military side’s lone goal in the 31st minute with a fine touch off Albert Ngabonziza’s set-piece. Striker Barnabe Mubumbyi had two efforts on goal which were easily saved by Musanze goalkeeper Eric Kazumba in the first ten minutes. Mubumbyi later had a goal disallowed with five minutes to recess when Kazumba failed to hold Sibomana’s long shot which he parried towards the goal post, with the latter scoring the rebounder before he was ruled offside. Musanze had their best chance cleared off the goal line by skipper Nshutinamagara when Habimana beat Bayisenge and goalie Kwizera but delayed to shoot in an empty goal, allowing the skillful defender to clear the ball with his head. Andre Cassa Mbungo’s Police won their first game of the season, courtesy of striker Emmanuel Sebanani. Mbungo has already warned APR and Rayon Sports that his team will challenge them for the league title. Police are yet to win a major trophy. AS Kigali beat Sunrise 1-0 in Rwamagana with Bodo Ndikumana earning all three points for coach Eric Nshimiyimana’s outfit. On Saturday, Rayon Sports beat Amagaju 1-0, while SC Kiyovu registered the biggest win of the opening day of the 2014/15 season with a 2-0 win over Marines at Mumena turf. Congolese Miamy Baby Mbakiye scored a brace for Ali Bizimungu’s side who lead the league log because of their superior goal advantage.