PHOTOS: APR are 2023/24 Primus National League champions

Kigali Pele Stadium turned black and white as APR FC were again crowned champions of Rwanda for the fifth time in a row with three games to spare. A superb long range curler from winger Gilbert Mugisha proved decisive for Thierry Froger’s side who beat rivals Kiyovu SC 1-0 during Saturday’s Primus National League crunch game. It was Froger’s first silverware since taking charge of the team in July 2023. Kiyovu Sports came into the game with a mission to not only break APR’s unbeaten run in the league but also make them wait for their celebration until the next game. The return of skipper Olivier Niyonzima to the group, after about a month in suspension, was a big boost for coach Joselin Bipfubusa who started the Rwanda international in midfield alongside Frodouard Mugiraneza as the duo was expected to dictate the game. APR, on the other hand, deployed similar formation with Taddeo Lwanga and Ismail Nshimirimana as the midfield pivot. The first chance of the game fell to Victor Mbaoma after just eight minutes of action but his pass to Gilbert Mugisha, who made a cut in from the left into the box, was beautifully dealt with by Eric Ndizeye. Kiyovu had a chance to break the deadlock in the 14th minute. Karim Nizigiyimana sent a looping ball onto the oath of Richard Kilongozi who beat Christian Ishimwe before firing a shot from close angle which Pavelh Ndzila saved. Kilongozi was proving to be a nightmare for Ishimwe on the right as he once again left his marker for dead before delivering a superb cross which Alfred Leku failed to head into a yawning net in the 22nd minute. Five minutes later, Bosco Ruboneka thought he had given APR the lead, but his long drive hit the crossbar after receiving a quick pass from Omborenga Fitina. Kiyovu Sport again missed another glorious chance on the half hour mark after Djuma Nizeyimana feebly shot into the Ndzila’s hands after a beautiful one-two between Nizigiyimana and Kilongozi from the right wing. Both teams created a host of decent chances in the final 15 minutes of the first half as Leku and Mbaoma missed them all. The first half ended with the teams tied at 0-0 though Kiyovu looked to be the better side. Kiyovu Sports started the second half brightly as they piled pressure on APR pushing for an opening goal. They twice claimed for a penalty in the 47th and 49th minutes but the referee ignored their appeals on both occasions. APR scored with their first chance on the second half as Mugisha curled on a superb ball from 20 yards on the left flank which went straight into the net in the 52nd minute after goalkeeper Djihad Nzeyurwanda was unable to save it. APR again turned defense into attack in the 56thminute goalscorer Gilbert Mugisha on a similar style curled in a ball from the same direction he scored the first goal. Nzeyurwanda could not have a firm grasp on the ball. Mbaoma headed in but it was ruled offside. Bipfubusa was at the time running out of tactics and APR took control of the game. The Burundian brought on Fred Muhoozi for Tansele Mosengo in the 60th minute in an effort to add more bite to his attack Froger also brought on skipper Claude Niyomugabo for Ismail Nshimirimana who had suffered two knocks. Mbaoma had glaring chances to increase the tally for APR in the 78th and 83rd minute but Nzeyurwanda pulled great saves to deny the Nigerian attacker from increasing his goals in the golden boot race. The final four minutes of the game saw both teams not exerting much pressure as APR maintained their 1-0 lead till the blast of the final whistle. The army side have now amassed 63 points with three games to spare and they are the winners of the 2023/24 Primus National League, which the club’s record 22nd title.