Africa-Press – Rwanda. Football fans, players and coaches alike witnessed moments of entertainment, upsets and resilience over the weekend, as the race for the Rwanda Premier League title faces uncertainty.
Huye Stadium continued to be a slippery ground for title contenders APR FC and Rayon Sports who managed just 1 points in a possible 12.
A total of 19 goals were scored across 8 games played over the weekend, with Etincelles being the only side which won an away encounter.
Times Sport takes a look at five takeaways from match day 18.
Mukura’s impressive performance against big teams
The Yellow and Blacks have tormented the big teams so far this season. They ended Rayon Sports’ unbeaten, beat Police FC and they have now also defeated APR over the weekend, preventing them from closing the gap between them and league leaders Rayon Sports to just one point.
They only seem to pull their magic in big games as they have dominated and won against all the big clubs this season. However, they have been struggling against the smaller teams.
Imagine beating Rayon, APR and Police then you lose 3-0 to Rutsiro FC. Mukura made good signings and, if they can eschew complacency against the smaller teams, they have what it takes to finish in the top ranks.
Amagaju becoming Rayon Sports nemesis
One of the oldest football clubs in Rwanda, Amagaju is gradually becoming a nemesis for Rayon Sports. The Blues have won only once in their last four meetings dating back to September 1, 2023, with the other three games ending in draw.
Even with 10 men, Amagaju came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rayon Sports on August 23, 2024 in the first round of this season. They again held the same old side on Saturday at Huye Stadium.
Amagaju and their City rivals Mukura have many things in common as they pull major upsets against the big teams and struggle against smaller clubs.
Vision, Kiyovu on the brink of relegation
Vision FC’s top tier status is getting out of their hands and it there is time to survive relegation, it is now or never. They have endured a torrid run of form recently where they conceded 7 goals in two games.
Currently sitting 15th on the league table with 12 points, the Premier League debutantes are even yet to play against any of the big teams. It could soon be over for them if they don’t improve.
Kiyovu is also in the same predicament. They are at the bottom of the table with 12 points and a minus of 19 goals after losing 2-1 to Gasogi United on Monday.
Sadly, this is a team which nearly won the title in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, only to lose the grip to APR who snatched both title in the last day of the campaign.
It will be heartbreaking to see the Green Baggies in the second division but from the look of things, if they don’t start grinding results, they will be relegated.
Musanze FC’s dramatic comeback
Musanze FC came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Police FC in a dramatic encounter at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.
This is the second time they have done that against one of the top 5 teams in Kigali. On February 9, they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rayon as Johnson Adeshola scored a 95th minute goal. It was the same minute Rashid Mchelenga scored the equalizer against Police over the weekend.
Coach Sosthene Habimana is gradually building the mental fortitude of the Musanze players and when you play against them, it is not over until it is over.
Robertinho’s title hopes lie on a ‘fit’ Muhire
Reports suggest that members of Rayon Sports top hierarchy met at Huye Stadium to assess the output of coach Robertinho Oliveira after the club was held to a 1-1 draw with Amagaju on Saturday.
It is apparent that Rayon always struggle in the absence of their skipper Kevin Muhire and it was evident that the team failed to click from the midfield when he was not around, as he continues his recovery from injury.
Muhire can’t play every game, injuries might set in as it has done now. The onus lies of Robertinho to find a suitable player to fill the void when the playmaker is not around. Better still, he can device a formation which Muhire absence won’t be felt much.
From how things are going, Robertinho’s fate may hang on the fitness of Muhire. If the skipper continues to battle with injuries and the team struggles, he may probably be catching the next available flight back to Brazil.
Again, his trusted striker Fall Ngagne is out for the rest of the season with knee injury and he must could start relying on new signing Adulai Jalo who is still trying to settle in the team.
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