Police FC dents APR’s title charge

Sunday APR 1-1 Police Police FC dented APR’s title charge as they held the military side to a 1-all draw yesterday at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo. Forward Dominic Antoine Ndayishimiye opened the scoring for Police in the ninth minute before APR defender Aimable Nsabimana equalised for APR in the 72nd minute to salvage a point for the leaders. Following the draw, APR reclaimed the top spot with 51 points, level on points with second-placed AS Kigali – both from 25 leagues games. However, the former lead courtesy of a better goal difference, 27, compared to AS Kigali’s 25. Albert Joel Mphande’s Police had a chance to double their lead after 20 minutes but Amini Muzerwa’s goal was disallowed after linesman Justin Karangwa had marked him offside. With both sides missing two key players on the starting line-ups, the game was largely a dull affair and both teams seemed satisfied with the draw. Besides that, it left the title race between APR and AS Kigali wide open when APR had a chance to go two points clear at the top. APR were without skipper Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and centre-back Herve Rugwiro while Police had to face Ljubomir Petrovic’s side with IsaieSonga and Justin Mico sidelined. Nsabimana almost handed APR the three points in injury time with a superb finish from Jean Claude Iranzi’s corner-kick but got his goal annulled for offside. The hosts, APR, had several scoring opportunities in the first half through Iranzi, Issa Bigirimana and Muhadjir Hakizimana but all failed. Left-back Jean Marie Vianney Mpozembizi tested APR goalie Yves Kimenyi with a long range strike on the stroke of half-time but the effort missed by inches above the crossbar. In the second half, Police mounted a series of attacks orchestrated by Dominique Ndayishimiye and Muhammed Mushimiyimana but their presence upfront did not cause much of a threat as APR defenders Prince Buregeya and Nsabimana kept it tight at the back. “The draw is such a blow to our title chase, but it could have been even worse. We are going to regroup and prepare for our remaining fixtures, one game at a time,” APR coach Petrovic told Times Sportin a post-match interview on Sunday. In a separate interview, his counterpart, Zambian tactician Mphande, said he was contented with the draw despite multiple wasted opportunities to win it. He further noted that he was not happy with how the referees handled the game, citing that they were biased against his side in their judgments. After the draw, Police remained in the fourth position with 42 points, three adrift of reigning champions, Rayon Sports. Etincelles are in fifth spot with 41 points. editorial@newtimes.co.rw