Africa-Press – Rwanda. The week 17 of the 2022/23 Rwanda Premier League produced surprise and shocking results at both ends as Rwamagana City FC defeated title hopefuls AS Kigali 1-0 in Ngoma with Espoir also defeating Police FC, to taste a victory for the first time since August 19.
APR FC, on the other hand, earned three important points to go top after a keenly contested Clement Niyigena scored a 93rd-minute winner to sink Kiyovu in a five-goal thriller while Etincelles summed up the match week 17 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over arch rivals Marine to win the Rubavu derby.
In all, 18 goals were scored with APR, Gasogi, Rutsiro, and Espoir getting wins away from home.
Times Sport brings you a complete wrap up of all the league games.
Relegation-threatened Espoir FC pulled a big surprise as they beat Police FC 2-1 on Saturday at Bugesera Stadium. Clement Iradukunda gave Espoir the lead in the 15th minute before Evode Ntwari levelled the scores for Police six minutes later beforeTressor Ndikumana grabbed a winner for the visitors in the 51st minute.
The win saw the Rusizi-based side boost their chances of avoiding relegation.
Elsewhere, Heritier Lulihoshi’s 82nd-minute strike proved decisive as Rutsiro beat Musanze 1-0 at Ubworoherane Stadium.
In-form Gasogi FC continued their impressive form with a convincing 3-0 win over Sunrise FC at Nyagatare Stadium. Theodore Malipangou opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Maxwell Djoumekou added the second in the 56th minute. Dany Niyongira then added the third in the 77th minute.
It’s one of the results that means a lot to Charles Nkuriza Kakooza’s side which is increasingly morphing itself into title contenders this season as they sit third on the table just two points behind leaders APR.
Rayon Sports visited Mukura Victory at the Huye Stadium hoping that a victory would see them move to the summit but only a draw was all that they could manage.
Moussa Camara gave the Blues an early lead in the 11th minute before Emmanuel Nsabimana equalized for the home side in the 61st minute.
Camara thought he doubled the lead for Rayon before the halftime break only but his goal was controversially ruled out for offside.
Rwamagana City produced a sterling performance in Ngoma as they pipped AS Kigali by a lone goal in one of the most surprising results of math day 17. Cedric Lisombo netted the only goal for the hosts in the 43rd minute.
It was an action-packed encounter at Muhanga Stadium as APR beat Kiyovu Sports 3-2. Bertrand Iradukunda gave the Green Baggies an early lead in the 3rd minute before Yannick Bizimana equalized in the 21st minute. Ramadhan Niyibizi then gave APR a 2-1 lead in the four minutes before Ismael Nshimirimana restored parity for Kiyovu in the 67th minute.
With the game heading to a draw, Clement Niyigena put up a show as he scored a late winner in the 93rd minute to send traveling supporters in wild celebrations as the result saw the military side leading the way at the top of the table.
And it was a super Sunday in Rubavu, Etincelles and Marines rekindled their rivalry in a derby that ended in favor of Etincelle after beating Yves Rwasamanzi’s struggling side 2-1 to go sixth in the table with 29 points.
Gideon Bendeka opened the scoring for Etincelles after just two minutes but Keddy Nsanzimfura, who is on loan from APR, scored from the spot to give Marine an equalizer in the 48th minute. Marine would have been satisfied with a draw but Moro Sumaila set up Justin Mukata Kakule for the winner in the 91st minute to spoil their party.
Bugesera and Gorilla also settled for a goalless draw in Nyamata on Sunday.
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