Africa-Press – Rwanda. Division Four (Div Four) of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) held tournament favourites Republican Guard (RG) to a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested group stage game of this year’s edition of the Liberation Cup.
The game which took place at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Friday, June 6, started with both teams observing a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
It was Div Four that opened the scoring in the 20th minute through midfielder Aime Dushiminana who dribbled past RG defenders in the box before unleashing a powerful shot that goalkeeper Eric Mugabo couldn’t parry away.
RG responded well, ramping up the pressure in search of an equalizer. In the 29th minute, they came close through a well-struck free kick that rattled the crossbar.
Minutes later, referee Jean Paul Ngabonziza pointed to the spot for a penalty after a handball in the area in Div Four’s box after a foul was committed by the team. Forward Mile Shema calmly converted the spot-kick in the 32nd minute, levelling the score at 1-1.
The match intensified, with both teams launching swift attacks. Div Four nearly reclaimed the lead in the 40th minute when Eric Nsingizumukiza found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper but failed to finish what looked like a sure goal.
At the start of the second half, RG made a tactical change, introducing Pierre Ndagijimana for Jean Claude Mutabazi to boost their attack. They dominated possession and created more chances, but were constantly denied by Div Four’s goalkeeper Renson Ngarambe.
Despite RG’s dominance in the second half, they couldn’t find a breakthrough, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the result, RG solidified their lead with 12 points at the top of Group C and are assured of a place in the quarterfinals. Div Four, meanwhile, remains in contention and will look to secure qualification in their final group match against Defence Intelligence, scheduled for June 16.
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