Lomami dents APR’s title hopes

Striker’s late goal sinks former club Yesterday APR 0-1 Atraco TodayJeunesse v Rayon SportMarines v AS KigaliElectrogaz v KibuyePolice v MukuraAmagaju v Kiyovu Substitute Andre Lomami scored late in the game to give Atraco a 1-0 win over their closest title rivals APR in a league match played yesterday at Amahoro stadium. The former APR striker scored in the 83rd minute on a quick counter-attack involving another substitute Ismail Habumugisha to shoot past the advancing APR goalie Jean Claude Ndoli. The victory for the taxi-men club came after 80 minutes of poor a display of football from both clubs nonetheless they moved four points clear at the top. The first half was not eye-catching and the second period was even poorer as either team failed to create any meaningful attempt on goal. The champions started with an attacking game and in the fourth minute Jean Shyaka set up Johnson Bagoole a perfect pass but the Ugandan Cranes midfielder saw his attempt rebound off the post. Burundian playmaker Fuadi Ndayisenga’s free-kick went wide after Aloua Gaseruka made a bullish foul on Ndjoli Bokungu. Atraco went close on the 21st minute when the hardworking Shyaka dribbled into the penalty box but APR skipper Mbuyu Twite blocked his shot before Ndoli collected the loose ball. Atraco goalie Eric Ndayishimiye saved a deflected free-kick shoot from Haruna Niyonzima to deny the hosts. However, the champions’ attacking game faded as the game grew older as the league leading scorer Jean Lomami was easily marked out of the game by the ever present Mbuyu. Right-back Jean Uwacu was not at his usual best as he lacked consistency in his ball control causing a scare in the APR defence on a number of occasions. Jean Mugiraneza got an opportunity on 47th minute and another clear chance on 62nd minute but wasted both.Karim Nizigiyimana, who came on for the inured Uwacu late in the game and Djabir Mutarambirwa on for Moses Odhiambo added some steel in APR attacking display. APR leading striker Bokungu was a shadow of the striker is supposed to be and despite stealing the ball from defender Gaseruka near the penalty box, he didn’t a single shot on target. Mutarambirwa’s free-kick on 66th minute was not exploited as Ndayishimiye’s goalkeeping tactics was put to good use.Ndayishimiye proved a menace for APR’s goal hunt in the goalposts as Mutarambirwa and Patrick Mafisango’s attempts were easily taken care of. The tactical substitution of (Andre) Lomami for an unimpressive Joseph Kabagambe made the difference as the former APR striker easily netted Atraco’s winner and he seemed to like seeig by the way he celebrated in-front of the APR fans. With a minute to go, Mugiraneza’s directed a header from a corner just wide as the nine-time champions searched for the equalizer. The win maintained Atraco’s lead at the top of the table with 43 points, four ahead of APR in second with four matches left. Ends