Mavugo’s brace downs APR

PNFL, YesterdayAPR 2-3 PoliceEtincelles 0-0 Kiyovu AS Kigali 0-1 Nyanza Playing todayLa Jeunesse vs Espoir Rayon Sports vs Amagaju Marine vs Mukura A Quick fire second-half brace from Laudit Mavugo and Meddie Kagere sent Police on top of the Primus National Football league standings yesterday at Amahoro stadium.A derby which had attracted many spectators and favoured to fall into APR’s way turned from sweet to sour as the military side succumbed to a 2-3 loss on hands of league title rivals and favourites Police.Olivier Karekezi gave the military a deserved lead on 18th minute after slashing home a brilliant loop from defender Habib Kavuma beating Alexis Ganza who had poorly marked his stands.Before recess, striker Meddie Kagere suffered a professional foul by APR goalie Ramadhan Nkunzingoma in the goal area after the latter had dribbled past Mbuyu Twite and Alexis de Avilla forcing referee Gervais Munyanziza to award Police a penalty.Kagere sent Nkunzigima the wrong way as he converted the spot kick on 33rd minute to level with the military side before going into recess.With both sides playing more of an attacking game, Kabange Twite beat an off-side trap to put the military side ahead with a master-piece strike on 66th minute.However, Police maintained their calmness and Burundian-born international Mavugo snatched an equalising second goal after playing a one-two with Kagere, making no mistake but to slot into an empty net on 68th minute.As the military side pushed for a winner, Police defense stood firm with Deo Othieno and Gilbert Kaze playing a vital role by stopping frequent runs from Karekezi and Kabange.APR’s best chance came from Jean Baptista Mugiraneza who failed to beat an aerial ball past goalie Ganza with ten minutes to go. Then a rebounding ball met Kaze who set-up a long piece to Kagere and goal poacher made no mistake but drove three APR players in a counter-attack before connecting the ball to Mavugo. Mavugo confidently calmed down the ball, dribbled past Ismail Nshutiyamagara and Mbuyu Twite and smashed a sharp shot past Nkunzigoma sealing the winner on 83rd minute.The victory put Police in clear position at the summit of the Primus National Football league with 27 points in 12 matches played this season.Elsewhere, Etincelles was forced to a goalless draw by SC Kiyovu in Rubavu while Nyanza earned a 1-0 victory AS Kigali at Nyamirambo stadium.Action continues today when six-time league champion Rayon Sport battles Amagaju at Nyamirambo stadium with La Jeunesse hosting Espoir at Mumena while Marines will meet Mukura at Umuganda stadium respectively.