APR, AS Kigali in stalemate

Results AS Kigali 0-0 APRRayon Sports 0-0 IsongaPolice 2-0 Sunrise Table leaders APR were held to a goalless draw by a determined AS Kigali side in a lacklustre National Football League encounter at the Kigali regional stadium yesterday. The army side deployed three strikers in a somewhat conventional 4-2-1-3 formation with Bernabe Mubumbyi, Bertrand Iradukunda and Michel Ndahinduka playing up front but the ‘long ball’ style did the reigning league champions a disservice. Talisman Andrew Buteera made his first start this season but it was the introduction of Maxime Sekamana that brought hope in APR’s ball movement in the last 15 minutes. However, not even their new-found luck to score late goals came to their rescue as Eric Nshimiyimana’s side played out for a draw having failed to create any solid chances on target in 90 minutes. AS Kigali head coach Eric Nshimiyimana explains tactics to his players Nshimiyimana said, “We really wanted three points but when two top sides meet, a draw can be expected. APR can be better than my team via individual brilliance but tactically we went head-to-head. We denied them the opportunity to play the ball wide, which is their strength but then we failed to score.” The fixture was a battle of the league’s top scorer Isaie Songa of AS Kigali who has netted nine goals this season against a defense and goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera who have only conceded seven goals this season. APRs Michel Ndahinduka makes an attempt at goal as Nova Bayama of AS Kigali looks on. APR interim head coach Vincent Mashami admitted that his side lacked the fluidity known to intimidate opponents habitually for yesterday’s display without regular starters like Jean Claude Iranzi, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and Emery Bayisenge exposed their vulnerability in midfield. APR interim head coach Dusan Duje Suljagic instructs his players during the game The draw maintains the seven-point gap between the two sides (APR with 39 points and AS Kigali with 32) in the race to the title with eight games to go but APR has another game in hand. AS Kigalis Justin Mico attempted several chances but they went wide. (Photo by Timothy Kisambira). Elsewhere, Police FC captain Jacques Tuyisenge scored twice as the law enforcers defeated Sunrise 2-0 at the Kicukiro stadium. The win ensured Andre Cassa Mbungo’s side tied points with second placed AS Kigali although the latter has a better goal difference, 12 as compared to Police’s 11. editorial@newtimes.co.rw