Etincelles put one foot in the round of 16 of the Peace Cup 2025 after defeating AS Kigali 3-2 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, January 15. The Rubavu-based club recorded yet another win against the Citizens, two weeks after beating them 1-0 in a league game held at Umuganda Stadium. Etincelles looked the more purposeful side early in the game but it was AS Kigali who broke the deadlock early in the first half. Veteran attacker Emmanuel Okwi powered the Citizens ahead in the eighth minute after a neat buildup before Hussein Ciza Mugabo responded minutes later with the equalizer to make it 1-1 in the 13th minute. ALSO READ: Preview: AS Kigali host Etincelles in Peace Cup second round Marc Nkubana brought down Ciza after he raced towards the goal and the referee whistled for a penalty. Sadjat Niyonkuru stepped up and beautifully sent AS Kigali goalkeeper Pascal Niyonkuru the wrong way to make it 2-1. Etincelles pile more pressure on AS Kigali who could barely cope with the visitors’ pace every time they launched attack. Ismail Nizigiyimana fired home a superb strike outside the box to make it 3-1 for Etincelles in the 40th minute. The first half ended with Etincelles leading 3-1 and being the better side. After recess, substitute Saidi Abubakar reduced the deficit for AS Kigali in the 61st minute following a goal mouth melee. The goal gave the hosts confidence as they started pressing for the equalizer. Etincelles’ defense looked well organized as they held their might at the back with excellent defending. Shabani Hussein had a chance to pull even for AS Kigali in the 80th minute but he clashed with his own colleague Abubakar in the air as the ball went wide. Etincelles decided to hold onto the ball to kill time as they returned to Rubavu with a 3-2 win. The second leg will take place at Umuganda Syadium on Tuesday, January 21. Other Games Musanze FC 2 -0 Muhisimbi FC Nyabihu young Boyz 1 - 3 City Boyz United Stars 0 - 4 Amagaju FC As Muhanga 1 - 0 Etoile de l'Est Intare FC 2 - 0 Ivoire Olympique
