Rayon beat APR in ‘El Classico’

Atraco regain league top spot YesterdayRayon 1-0 APR Atraco 2-0 Electrogaz Police 1-1 AS Kigali Amagaju 1-1 Mukura Kiyovu 3-0 La Jeunesse TodayKibuye v Marines RAYON Sport stunned APR 1-0 on day 15 of the national league in what has now become Rwanda’s ‘El Classico’ yesterday at Amahoro stadium. Theoneste Muhayimana came off the bench for Honore Kabongo to score the winning on 55th as the Blues put on a much spirited fight against their traditional archrivals and record nine-time league champions. Both sides created and wasted numerous opportunities that would have changed the entire complex of the game but it was Rayon day to take home a victory their desperately wanted to brighten up their title hopes. Head coach Raoul Shungu predicted before the match that his team would win 2-0, and he was close to being right had Jimmy Gatete’s header never went inches wide three minutes after Rayon taking the lead. The game started with APR pushing their opponents on the back foot but poor finishing from Elias Uzamukunda, Kabange Twite and Mbuyu Twite in the first half came back to haunt them at full time. On the other end, Mbuyu had to be on red alert to clear Joseph Kaniki goal-bound strike off the line just before the interval. Patrick Mafisango’s curling free-kick was blocked by goalie Lawrence Webo to deny APR’s the equalizer immediately after recess. The disastrous moment for Rene Feller’s side came when former Atraco striker Muhayimana scored from a header after poor marking in the APR defence. Chasing an equalizer, Feller pushed his men forward in numbers but it was his day despite his team’s dominancy in the last ten minutes as Man of the Match, Webo stood firm in Rayon goal. Ndjoli Bokungu squandered an inviting opportunity to equalize when he shot tamely straight in Webo’s hands. His (Bokungu), Hegman Ngoma was equally at fault to miss another chance with five minutes to go. The defeat, the second of the season, means APR drops to second position with 33 points, one behind the champions Atraco, who beat Electrogaz 2-0 at Nyamirambo stadium and a further one point ahead of Rayon in third spot. Jean Lomami and Johnson Bagoole struck the goals for Sam Timbe’s side to keep the title race wide open. Lomami’s 13th goal of the season moves him five goals ahead of his closest rival and teammate Hamisi Kitagenda for the league top scorer’s accolade. AS-Kigali’s Pappy Gasana is on seven. Kiyovu enjoy big win The battle between the two relegation candidates ended in favour of SC Kiyovu as they thrashed La Jeunesse 3-0 to jump one place from bottom with 13 points. Former APR striker Yusuf ‘Chami’ Kayihura, Jacques Tuyisenge and James Uwimana were on target for the struggling giants. Ends