The Rwanda Premier league kicked off on Friday with some surprising results which point to a league that will be tightly contested by more than two matches Kiyovu, Sunrise, Gasogi had smooth wins but the big guns-APR and Rayon Sports struggled for three points. Times Sport takes a look at five things we learnt from week 1 of the premier league. There are no minnows in Rwandan football Rutsiro FC and Musanze FC showed against Rayon Sports and APR FC that they have come of age and can compete with the big guns. It took a 90th minute goal by APR FC’s Yannick Bizimana to break the heart of Musanze on Friday and on Saturday night also Rayon netted an 89th minute winner through Didier Mucyo to take all the three maximum points against Rutsiro. At least a draw in both games at the Kigali Stadium should have been the perfect reflection of the two games considering how the visitors played. The display of Rutsiro FC and Musanze over the weekend clearly showed that there are no minnows now in Rwandan football. APR and Rayon still have defensive problems The defenders of APR and Rayon were mesmerised over the weekend by Peter Agblevor and Malekidogo Mumbere as they struggled against the two players. Agblevor led the attack of Musanze and ran rings around APR’s back four whereas Mumbere also proved too hot for the Rayon defenders. APR FC and Rayon Sports must shore up their defense as the season progresses. Agblevor is becoming a nightmare for APR FC The Ghanaian striker is proving to be APR FC number one nemesis as he takes delight in scoring against them. Agblevor’s goal for Musanze against the league champions on Friday was his third against them in two games. Last season, he banged in a brace for Etoile in their 2-2 draw with APR at Ngoma. To score thrice in two games against APR is no fluke and the striker showed that he can always be a nightmare for APR. Rutsiro FC showed signs of finishing in top six Despite losing 2-1 to Rayon Sports, Rutsiro were the best team in the league in week one. They played to their strength and were the better side on the day against Rayon but luck was not on their side. Surprisingly, this was a team which escaped relegation last season on the final day and to be transformed like this in just two months is very encouraging. If Rutsiro can continue with this performance, they could at least finish in the top six of the league. Shabani Hussein could retain goal scorer status this season The Burundian striker is what we term as “Fox in the box” as he rarely misses chances when he is in the vital area. The top scorer from last season netted two sublime goals inside the penalty box against Etincelles on Friday as AS Kigali won by two goals to nothing. All Hussein needs is to be fed inside the box and the goals will flow.
