It was an action-packed Matchday Three of the Rwanda Premier League which resumed over the weekend after the international break. All clubs were in action except Rayon Sports and archrivals APR FC whose derby was rescheduled to October 19 as the latter was playing Pyramids in the CAF Champions League. A total of 16 goals were scored across seven venues with Police FC, Mukura Victory Sports and Rutsiro FC winning away from home while each of the fixtures produced at least one goal. Times Sport brings to you five takeaways from match day 3. Gasogi’s form continues Gasogi United are unbeaten in their last three league games and they remain at the top of the table with 7 points. They came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Amagaju at Huye Stadium in a crunch encounter on Sunday firing a warning to Rayon Sports, their next opponent on Saturday, September 21, at Amahoro Stadium. Gasogi did not sign any high profile player in the June-July 2024 transfer window, except their former player Theodor Malipangou who returned from an unsuccessful stint in the United Arab Emirates, but they have been impressive so far. Crisis affecting Kiyovu’s performance Kiyovu has for the last couple of months been hit with financial crisis which are already affecting their performance in the league. The Mumena-based club had only three players on the bench when they hosted Mukura VS at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, September 15. They didn't even have a substitute goalkeeper. They could have conceded four goals had it not been for Djihad Nzeyurwanda’s exceptional goalkeeping exploits. Despite making a couple of saves, the Mumena-based shot stopper conceded 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Bonheur Sannu. Club coach Joslin Bipfubusa said that the club’s current situation can’t allow them to compete for the title...and the situation is getting even worse! Vision FC settling in top tier football English coach Callum Selby is doing a good job at top tier newcomers Vision FC. After conceding a goal in the first half, his men came back stronger to dominate Muhazi United and eventually got the needed equalizer. As time goes by, Vision FC can be a force to reckon with if their striker Ali Huzaf returns from injury. Marines own Rubavu derby Marines outplayed Etincelles with a 2-0 victory to win the Rubavu derby. Just like in recent years, Marines have been the superior side in the local derby and they showed their pedigree once again on Sunday at Umuganda Stadium. Etincelles could not stand the might of their city rivals who taught them yet another soccer lesson on Sunday through fine strikes from Taiba Mbonyumwami and Confiance Muhire. Okwi-Shabani deadly attacking partnership Veteran striker Emanuel Okwi scored the winner in the 53rd as AS Kigali beat stubborn Gorilla FC 1-0 in Sunday lunchtime fixture. The former Uganda Cranes skipper’s attacking partnership with Hussein Shabani is taking shape and it was the latter who assisted the goal.
