Thursday Rayon 3-0Bugesera Espoir 1-0Kirehe AS Muhanga0-0Marines Police 1-0Musanze Wednesday Sunrise 2-1Kiyovu Gicumbi 2-3magaju AS Kigali head coach Djuma Masudi Irambona has emphasised that he remains optimistic despite his side’s difficult start to the 2018-19 Azam Rwanda Premier League. The former Burundi international has not had the best start to life at AS Kigali as his team has only secured four points from their first five league games – with four draws and one loss. Masudi did not preside over the first match. Masudi was appointed as head coach a fortnight ago following the departure of Eric Nshimiyimana who had been in the position for the previous four years. AS Kigali and Mukura played out a goalless draw at Huye Stadium on Tuesday. “The draw (against Mukura) was another frustrating result, we deserved better. But I remain confident we will soon turn the team’s fortunes around. The most important thing in such situations is to have a strong mentality and figure out what needs to be fixed,” Masudi said. The 2013 Peace Cup winners are in ninth place with 11 points adrift of deficit to table leaders APR who have won all their five games so far. Mukura are second with 13 points. Masudi further noted that, “We have a two-week break for international football, it is a good time to regroup as a team and work on all aspects of our game. I am hoping that when the league resumes, we will be performing differently and get results everyone at the club wants.” Rayon beat Bugesera In the meantime, Rayon Sports beat Bugesera 3-0 at Kigali Stadium on Thursday to close the gap with defending champions APR to three points. The blues are now one point behind second-placed Mukura VS. Brace hero Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana scored from the spot to put the blues ahead in the 28th minute before Olivier Sefu Niyonzima doubled their lead two minutes to half-time. Bimenyimana netted his second goal in the 74th minute to inspire the eight-time champions to a fourth win in five games this season. Bimenyimana, 21, leads the scorers’ chart with 4 goals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
