APR thrash Marines to return to summit

APR 4-1 Marines Rayon Sports 4-0 Sunrise Champions APR walloped Marines 4-1 yesterday at Kicukiro stadium to return to the top of the national football league log. The army side, who are looking for a record 15th league title, scored in the first minute through forward Fiston Nkezingabo. Central defender Helve Rugwiro, who came on for Emery Bayisenge, made it 2-0 after scoring a brilliant volley in the 11th minute. APR, who were missing five key players including skipper Ismail Nshutinamagara, Emery Bayisenge (knee injury), midfielder Yannick Mukunzi (ankle), striker Patrick Sibomana (groin) and defender Albert Ngabo (thigh) were in total control in the first half. In the second half, Marines enjoyed a spell of possession and that paid off as striker Bienvenue Mugenzi pulled one back for the visitors. However, they failed to build on it and were punished when defender Abdul Rwatubyaye scored APR’s third in the 79th minute, before right back Michel Rusheshangoga also found the back of the net for the fourth seven minutes later. The victory moved APR back to the top of the league table with 44 points. They have the same number of points as rivals AS Kigali but the former have a superior goal advantage. Elsewhere, Rayon Sports ended a run of dismal performances when they beat Sunrise 4-0 thanks to a brace from Kevin Ishimwe and goals from Fuadi Ndayisenga and Aphrodis Hategekimana apiece. Jean Baptiste Kayiranga’s team is now in fifth place with 30 points with a game in hand. With 14 points adrift of leaders APR with just five games to the end of the season, Rayon Sports have no chance of winning the league but Kayiranga wants maximum points from their remaining matches to boost their chances of finishing in the top three. The blues’ only chance of silverware this season is in the Peace Cup that starts in June. editorial@newtimes.co.rw