Seven-point lead puts APR on pole for league title

Sunday Rayon Sports 0-4 APR Police 0-0 Marines Amagaju 0-1 Sunrise Isonga 0-0 Kiyovu Musanze 0-0 Gicumbi Mukura 0-3 AS Kigali Etincelles 0-0 Espoir Following Sunday’s 4-0 comfortable win over archrivals Rayon Sports in the National Football League, APR maintained a seven-point lead at the top of the table standings over second-placed AS Kigali. That the army side overcame their biggest rivals in such a convincing fashion, granted the reigning champions the bragging rights, a feat that will see the players and fans celebrate for the foreseeable future. Thirteen points clear of Rayon Sports, APR can comfortably claim the title is theirs and they will be excused for counting their eggs before they hatch. Their nearest challengers, AS Kigali won 3-0 away to Mukura to stay seven points off the pace. This line of thought will be attributed to history as APR has never thrown away a seven-point lead to lose the title in their 22-year-club history where they have won a record 14 titles. The Blues sit on fifth position on the league table standings and despite interim head coach Sosthene Habimana claiming that they can still win their remaining games and challenge for the title, this is practically possible but football pundits in the country will disagree with the thought that APR can lose five games in the remaining 10. Habimana told Times Sport, “The battle for the league title is not yet over. We are capable of making a strong comeback and that is our target from now onwards. Our focus now is to win all our remaining 10 games.” On their roster, APR face Police FC in their next league encounter before taking on Espoir in Rusizi, AS Kigali (Kicukiro), Mukura (Mumena), Gicumbi (Gicumbi), Amagaju (Mumena), SC Kiyovu (Mumena), Isonga FC (Mumena), Marines (Mumena) and Sunrise FC (Rwamagana) in their remaining fixtures. For a side that has mastered the art of winning the domestic league and with a fully fit squad of Rwandan youthful players wanting to impress for national team selection, ambition and desire will be crucial in their run for a record-extending 15th title. APR interim head coach Vincent Mashami believes his players have what it takes to complete the task ahead, but admits it will not be easy. A busy schedule ahead includes the return leg against Mozambican champions Liga Desportiva de Maputo this weekend in the Caf Champions League preliminary round with victory meaning a home and away tie against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in March. However, the army side has been in this position before and the club management insists that they will not be overwhelmed by continental assignments. League table Team PD W D L Pts APR FC 16 12 2 2 38 AS Kigali 16 9 4 3 31 Gicumbi 18 6 8 4 26 Police FC 16 6 7 3 25 Rayon 16 6 7 3 25 SC Kiyovu 18 6 7 5 25 Sunrise 17 5 9 3 24 Amagaju 18 6 6 6 24 Marines 17 5 7 5 22 Espoir 18 6 4 8 22 Mukura 18 3 7 8 16 Musanze 18 3 6 9 15 Etincelles 17 3 6 8 15 Isonga 17 1 6 10 9