APR crowned, Police win

PNFL, YesterdayIsonga 0-3 Police APR Football Club were crowned champions of the 2011/12 Primus National Football League in a grand ceremony held yesterday at Stade de Kigali, Nyamirambo. It’s the club’s 13th Rwandan league title in 17 seasons.APR won the title without kicking a ball on the last day of the season but the trophy awarding event was preceded by the rescheduled game between Police Fc and Isonga Fc, which the former won 3-0 to finish the season in second position.Burundin international Laudit Mavugo scored a brace with countryman Hapfizi Hakizimana netting the third goal to help Police finish the season with 50 points, two behind the champions, who finished their season last week.The defending champion claimed their 13th league title in 17 years after rivals Police FC blew up their chances of winning their first ever title when they lost 0-1 to Mukura in midweek.Having played all their games, with a five-point cushion over Police, APR capitalised on their rival’s plummet to win the title in a season they never really looked like favourites.Police needed to acquire seven points in three matches against Marines, Mukura and Isonga to be crowned champions, but their heartbreaking 0-1 defeat to both Marines and Mukura denied them the lone chance of ending APR’s dominance.With second place finish, Police will have to wait until next season to try to and win their maiden Primus League trophy in their 11 years of existence.However, if APR go on to win the MTN Peace Cup in July, and with Police finishing second in the league, both sides will represent Rwanda in African club competitions.Espoir will be the only relegated side this season with AS Muhanga and Musanze FC earning promotion back to the top flight league which will compose of 14 teams next season.APR’s Olivier Karekezi finished the season with 14 goals, two ahead of last season’s top scorer and Police striker Meddie Kagere.

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APR crowned, Police win