Kirehe coach Kishi turns focus on APR

Saturday Kirehe FC 2-1 Etincelles AS Kigali 0-0 BugeseraMusanze 0-0 APR FCEspoir 1-1 AmagajuMukura 2-1 SC Kiyovu Marines 0-3 Rayon Sports After beating Etincelles 2-1 on match-day four in the national football league on Saturday, Kirehe FC coach Hamiss ‘Kishi’ Sogonya has turned his focus on the next game against defending champions APR after the international break. Kirehe’s third win of the season took them into the top four, behind Rayon Sports, Sunrise and Police FC, with the newly promoted side moving above APR, who were held to a goalless draw away to Musanze FC. Forward Ismi Kagabo netted the opening goal for Kishi’s side in the 35th minute on a rebound after Etincelles goalkeeper had saved from skipper Ibrahim Ndikumasabo. Etincelles equalised in the 48th minute through former Rayon Sports striker Kabale Shalita Gentil who converted after eliminating three defenders, while Ndikumasabo scored the winning goal for the hosts in the 54th minute heading home a well taken corner from Simon Shauri Nyamugenda. Ndikumasabo was named man of the match. “I’m happy with the way my players played; we dominated the game because my players were determined to win. We’re getting better with every match. I am delighted to win a third game; we now have nine points, which is an excellent return after only four matches,” said Sogonya. The former AS Kigali and SC Kiyovu coach added, “Now our focus turns on the next match, against APR, which is going to be a lot tougher than what we have faced already.” “My target was to go for the international break with nine points, and I am happy that we have managed to achieve it. However, we know we have to stay grounded because it’s too early and we can’t afford to look beyond the next game,” Sogonya told Times Sport. Kirehe will visit APR after the international break with the match scheduled to be played at Kigali Regioanal Stadium in Nyamirambo. After losing a second consecutive game, Etincelles coach Emmanuel Ruremesha said his players’ failure to keep discipline, and falling short technically and tactically, cost them three points. “It’s not good to lose two games in a row, so we have to go back and correct the mistakes. We have not played badly but we made silly mistakes, especially in defence,” Ruremesha admitted after the match at Nyakarambi ground in Kerehe district. By press time, Rayon Sports had moved to the top of the table with 10 points after beating Marines 3-0 at Umuganda Stadium, ousting Sunrise FC, who were scheduled to play on Sunday evening. Burundi international Pierrot Kwizera netted a first half brace, in the 22nd and 38th minutes, before Malian forward Diarra Camara completed the rout in the 87th minute, for his first goal of the campaign. Djuma Masudi’s team went one point ahead of second-placed Sunrise FC, who were to face second-from-bottom Pepiniere on Sunday. At Huye Stadium, Mukura Victory Sports beat SC Kiyovu 2-0, courtesy of goals from Yussuf Habimana in the 11th minute and Hussein Cyiza in the 72nd minute. Amagaju FC drew against hosts Espoir 1-1 in Rusizi. The visitors scored first through Shabban ‘Tshabalala’ Hussein in the 54thminute, while veteran forward Bodo Ndikumaba equalizsd for the home side in the 79th minute. editorial@newtimes.co.rw