IN PICTURES: Magnificent Kiyovu ends Rayon's unbeaten run

Kiyovu Sports inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Rayon Sports in a Rwanda Premier League week 9 game at the Kigali Stadium on Friday, November 11. The top of the table clash saw Kiyovu cruising to a 2-0 first half lead before Rayon rallied back to reduce the deficit with three minutes to end proceedings. Rayon started the game on a bright note as they piled pressure on Kiyovu Sports. The Blues piled on pressure and netted a goal through Musa Essenu in the third minute but it was ruled off side. Kiyovu Sports, after soaking pressure in the opening five minutes, came out of their shells and started attacking from all angles. The Green Baggies bombarded the Rayon area and had the needed goal in the sixth minute. Burundian midfielder Nshirimana Ismail controlled a ball with his chest outside the penalty box before hitting a superb strike to the blind side of goalkeeper Ramadan Kabwili for the first goal. Kiyovu looked more dangerous on the left with Hakim Amissi proving to be a tough customer for Didier Mucyo. Rayon who were relying on the pace of Paul Were and Musa Essenu had the ball in the net in the 21st but the assistant referee raised his flag. Felix Ndekwe was offside and it was not counted. The Rayon Sports players charged on the assistant referee after the disallowed goal and they had to be restrained by their technical team. Bievenue Mugenzi made it 2-0 for Kiyovu Sports in the 38th minute with a fabulous finish as Rayon Sports looked totally in disarray. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Kiyovu who were the better side. The second saw Rayon bringing in Leandre Onana for Musa Essenu in an effort to beef up their attack. The substitution brought some urgency in the attack but the Kiyovu central defense made up of Aimable Nsabimana and Thierry Ndayishimiye was resolute as they thwarted all the efforts of Rayon Sports. A master class piece of defending from Rayon Skipper Samuel Ndizeye in the 73rd minute denied Kiyovu the third goal as he cleared a goal bound strike by Bievenue Mugenzi off the line. With four minutes to the end, Rayon pushed more men upfront and their effort was rewarded in the 87th after Eric Iracyadukunda pushed down Camara inside the penalty box. The referee whistled for a spot kick and Leandre Onana beautifully dispatched it to make it 2-1. There were no further chances as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game with Kiyovu leading 2-1. The Green Baggies have now overtaken Rayon Sports at the top of the table though the Blues have two rescheduled matches to play.