We shall fight to stay on top, says AS Kigali coach

AS Kigali 4-3 Musanze FC Azam Rwanda Premier League leaders AS Kigali will continue fighting to stay on top for as long as possible, according to head coach Eric Nshimiyimana. AS Kigali defeated Musanze FC in a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at Kigali Stadium Monday afternoon to go one point clear at the top of the table standing after 15 rounds of matches. Former APR striker Michelle Ndahinduka gave AS Kigali the lead after 22 minutes, Tumain Ntamuhanga, another ex-APR player, added the second goal a minute later before Japhet Imurora pulled one back for Musanze in the 31st minute. Striker Emmanuel Ngama scored the third goal for the home side in the 36th minute, while forward Suleiman Mudeyi made it 3-2 for the visitors two minutes later. Veteran talisman, Labama Bokota equalized for Sosethene Habimana’s team in the 50th minute. But in a game full of end-to-end action, it wasn’t too late before right winger Daniel Mwiseneza netted the fourth goal for AS Kigali in 53rd minute. Eric Nshimiyimana’s team lead the table with 29 points, one ahead of second-placed SC Kiyovu, who defeated Amagaju FC 2-0 on Sunday, while defending champions Rayon Sports are third, two points further adrift of the leaders. “It was an open game, which is why it had many goals for either side. For us, we came into the game determined to win and we started well by taking a 2-0 lead but things changed in 31st minute when Musanze pulled a goal back,” said Nshimiyimana in the post-match interview. He added, “If we had lost today’s (Monday) match, we stood a risk of dropping out of the top five especially that some big team including Rayon Sports and APR still have a game in hand.” Defending champions, Rayon Sports have one game in hand against Sunrise FC, whereas record 16-time league winners, APR FC, have three matches against Gicumbi, Etincelles and Espoir. Nshimiyimana further noted that, “It will not be an easy task to stay top in second round, but we will keep working to improve and try to do better in every game.” “The top five teams have a chance to win the league but if we keep winning our games and our rivals lose a couple of matches between now and end of the season, the picture can easily change. That is why we will fight until the end.”. editorial@newtimes.co.rw