Benedata nets late equalizer to put APR’s title celebrations on hold

Midfielder Janvier Benedata scored a 92nd minute stoppage time equalizer to help AS Kigali earn a point after holding APR FC to a 2-2 draw at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday, April 15. The result not only delayed APR’s title glory but also extended the club’s winless run to eight games against AS Kigali, having failed to beat the Citizens since December 23, 2018. The game rescheduled league game started with high intensity as APR begun to move into the AS Kigali vital area in a effort to prevent from moving forward. APR had the first chance in the third minute as unmarked Victor Mbaoma headed tamely into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana from skipper Bosco Ruboneka cross. Ruboneka had a leeway on the right side in the 11th minute as he went on a solo run leaving his marker Saleh Ishimwe for dead but Latif Bishira was quick to react as his cross failed to reach Mbaoma. AS Kigali reacted quickly as Fiston Ishimwe netted a superb goal in the 13th minute to give his side the lead. Felix Kone and Hussein Tshabalala Shabani played a quick one-two before the Burundian beautifully found Ishimwe with a fine pass and he placed it past Ndzila. The Citizens’ lead lasted just two minutes as a defensive blunder saw AS Kigali failing to clear their lines. Alain Kwitonda was lurking around the penalty box as he fired a loose ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 in the 15th minute after Mbaoma hit the post. Erisa Ssekisambu missed a glorious chance to put AS Kigali ahead in the 23rd minute after Ndzila presented the ball to him as a gift but under no pressure, he shot feebly into the hands of the goalkeeper to the astonishment of his own bench. Ssekisambu again had a great chance to put Guy Bukasa’s side ahead again in the 37th minute after Tshabala beat his marker and laid a pass for him but he again shot into the hands of Ndzila. The final six minutes of the first half saw AS Kigali in total control of the game as they created a host of decent chances but failed to utilize them. The second half started with the same intensity. AS Kigali had two free kicks in an advantageous positions within five minutes but Kevin Ebene and Fiston Ishimwe missed all of them. APR punished AS Kigali as they netted with their first chance of the second half in the 60th minute. Ruboneka cut in from the right and delivered a sweeping ball across the face of goal which Mbaoma made no mistake by connecting it onto the net to make it 2-1. Thierry Froger made double substitution as he brought on Sharaf Shaiboub and Claude Niyomugabo for Taddeo Lwanga and Bosco Ruboneka respectively in the 65th minute as he sought to strengthen his midfield. The changes brought more urgency to the army side’s tactical play as they controlled the midfield with ease. Mugisha went past his marker in the 70th minute and whipped in a cross with the outside of his boot but the danger was cleared by Latif Bishira. Bukasa brought on Iyabivuze Osee in the 75th minute for Kevin Ebene to add more bite to the attack. The Citizens failed to give up and despite being under pressure for most of the second half, they launched a counter attack and scored through Janvier Benedata to make it 2-2 in the 92nd minute. APR are on top of the league table with 60 points while AS Kigali have moved to 6th with 38 points.

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Benedata nets late equalizer to put APR’s title celebrations on hold