Africa-Press – Rwanda. APR FC survived an early scare to put five past Marines FC in a Primus National League game which ended 5-2 in favor of the army club at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, February 7.
It took just a minute for Marines FC to find the back of the net through a fabulous finish from attacker Raul Vyamunaj.
The early goal unsettled APR FC as they began to chase the game. Skipper Claude Niyomugabo, deployed in a central midfield, started spraying passes to every corner of the field but Sharaf Shaiboub, who was in an improvised central striking role, had his efforts thwarted by the impressive Marines back four.
Marines FC had the ball at the back of the net again in the 35 minute through Olivier Usabimana but it was disallowed after goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila was fouled in the visitors’ attacking action.
The APR fans were not happy with the performance of their players and started chants aimed at calling for Thierry Froger to be sacked.
Shaiboub had a glorious chance to restore parity for APR in the 40th minute after being beautifully set up by Alain Kwitonda Bacca but his effort narrowly missed the post.
Kwitonda finally pulled even for APR in the 43rd minute as he outran his marker and connected excellently from a Gilbert Mugisha low cross.
The first half ended with both teams having a fair share of possession.
APR started dictating the pace of the game early in the second half and missed a glorious chance through skipper Niyomugabo. Christian Ishimwe went on a solo run and released the ball to Kwitonda who found Niyomugabo with a great cross but his connection missed the post by inches.
Marines FC made two changes bringing on Slemani Jean and Kada Moussa for Raul and Ilunga Alvine respectively.
Gilbert Mugisha cut in from the left and went on a run before being brought down at the edge of the Marines FC 18-yard box. Jean Bosco Ruboneka stepped up and curled the ball to into the net to make it 2-0 in the 62nd minute.
Marines FC lost concentration and became disorganized at the back. Shaiboub made it 3-1 with a nice finish in the 65th minute as they put the game beyond reach.
APR launched a swift counter attack with Omborenga Fitina setting up skipper Claude Niyomugabo for the fourth goal in the 67th but it was ruled out for offside.
Marines FC could not string their passes together as APR continued to dominate possession. Shaiboub scored APR’s fourth and his second of the day with a low drive in the 76th minute.
The visitors became rejuvenated in attack following the introduction of Moussa Aboubakar, Kada and Jean René Ishimwe. They reduced the tally in the 85th minute through a stupendous strike from Ishimwe which goalkeeper Ndzila had no answer.
APR gaffer Thierry Froger brought on Yannick Bizimana for Shaiboub on the 88th minute as he sought to give the striker a bite of the cherry.
Bosco Ruboneka latched on to a ball on the right side of the Marines FC box and drilled home a fantastic effort in the 89th minute to make it 5-2 for the defending League Champions.
Injury time saw both teams not exerting much energy as the game ended 5-2 in favor of APR.
The result saw the military side maintain their six-point lead with 42 points ahead of second-placed Rayon Sports who have 36 points after beating Amagaju 1-0 at Huye Stadium through midfielder Kevin Muhire.
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