SC Kiyovu end twelve-year losing streak against APR

SundayMusanze vs Police FC 3:30pmMiroplast vs BugeseraAS Kigali vs Gicumbi Friday SC Kiyovu 1-0 APR FC SC Kiyovu pulled off a shock 1-0 victory in the Azam Rwanda Premier League on Friday at Mumena Stadium to end a 12-years losing streak against APR FC. The lone goal of the match was scored by Francis Mustafa in the 32nd minute after good cross from the right-back Jean Paul Uwihoreye. “We played well against a big team, which we did not have a good record against in the last 12 years, to beat APR you need to be at your best, and avoid making mistakes, that’s what we did from start to the end. We made sure we are aggressive, fighting for every first ball and it worked well,” SC Kiyovu head coach Andre Casa Mbungo said after the match. Mustafa’s goals arrived following poor goalkeeping by APR goalie Yves Kimenyi, who failed to deal with Uwihoreye cross and the Kiyovu forward pounced to guide it easily into an empty net. The two coaches, Andre Cassa Mbungo and Jimmy Mulisa chat before the kick off. The victory is a big relief to the Mumena-based side which had suffered back-to-back defeats against Rayon Sports and newly promoted Miroplast FC respectively. The win took Kiyovu up to fifth place on six points, level with Police FC, Amagaju and Gicumbi although the later trio has played a game less. SC Kiyovu had not beaten APR in the league in the 12 years – their last victory was a 3-1 back on October 30, 2005 and it came on the last day of the season after the military side had already been crowned champions. Despite the loss, APR remained temporarily at the top of summit of the league standings with seven points but this might change on Sunday as second-placed Police, Amagaju (3rd) and Gicumbi (4th) are yet to play their matches. APR coach Jimmy Mulisa said: “It is football, we made a mistake and we got punished because of poor communication between the goalkeeper and his defenders. My players did their best to win but failed to score. We are disappointed but we must forget about today and prepare for the next game.” On Sunday, Police take on Musanze FC at Ubworoherane Stadium knowing victory would take them two points clear at the top of the table. Second from bottom Bugesera FC, without their suspended head coach Ali Bizimungu face Miroplast FC, who are 12th, at Mironko stadium while Eric Nshimiyimana’s sixth-placed AS Kigali host Gicumbi Kigali Stadium. editorial@newtimes.co.rw