Substitute Jean Bosco Kayitaba scored an 83rd minute winner as AS Kigali came from behind to beat Gasogi United 2-1 in rescheduled Rwanda Premier League week 14 game held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, January 4. The Citizens had to dig deep against a well-organised and stubborn Gasogi United side as the win pushed them forward in the title race. ALSO READ:Onyeabor on target as AS Kigali pile misery on Police FC The game started on high intensity as both teams made incursions into each other’s vital area. Gasogi shot ahead inside eight minutes of action through a Hamis Hakim penalty. Ousman Doumbia was brought down as he attempted to connect a neat build up from the right involving Marc Govin Nshimiyimana. The referee whistled for a penalty with Hakim sending goalie Pascal Niyonkuru the wrong way to make it 1-0. Gasogi could have doubled the lead in just a minute later only for Niyonkuru to deny them with a super save on Kokoete Udo’s powerful strike. AS Kigali finally restored parity in the 38th minute through Placide Rwabuhihi who powered home a header from Osee Iyabivuze’s free kick from the right to make it 1-1. Three minutes later, Hussein Shabani Tshabalala missed a glorious chance after he shot feebly into the hands of goalkeeper Daouda Baleri following a nice counter attack. The first half ended with the scores at 1-1. The tempo of the game changed in the second half as each of the teams decided to hold the ball in order to create space. AS Kigali striker Shaban Hussein had two glorious chances to in the 65th and 70th minutes to shoot his side ahead but both chances went to wasted. Gasogi were looking lively as they tried to break the AS Kigali midfield with shot passes. Ntirushwa was brought down in the 80th minute but Emery Bayisenge saw his spectacular 30-yard free kick saved by Niyonkuru. AS Kigali deservedly took the lead when Kayitaba came from the bench to score the match winner in the 83rd minute. The Rwandan forward blasted the ball into the roof of the net following a defensive error inside the Gasogi penalty box. The final seven minutes of the game saw Gasogi with no option but to defend gallantly to avoid conceding more goals as the game ended 2-1 in favor of AS Kigali who climbed to third place with 26 points, seven points adrift of leaders Rayon Sports who have a game in hand with Police FC. Elsewhere, APR closed the gap to within five points at the top after a narrow 1-0 win over Musanze FC at Ubworoherane Stadium courtesy of Gilbert Mugisha’s goal from the spot. There was drama in the 80th minute when Musanze FC players protested against referee Eric Migabo’s decision to award APR FC a penalty following after a Musanze FC player handled the ball in the penalty area.
