APR’s striker Issa Bigirimana seen in action against Musanze Fc in a match day 10 action played on Wednesday at Stade de Kigali. Internet Photo
Azam Rwanda Premier League is set to take a break after its match day ten action to pave way for national team preparations and engagement in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) final tournament which is due in Morocco from January 12 to February 4, 2018.
The match day ten action of the Azam Rwanda Premier League was played from December 22 & 23, 2017 then took a break for Christmas before resuming on Wednesday.
The highlight of match day 10 was the 3-0 slashing of Etincelles Fc by table leaders SC Kiyovu who are ending the year in top spot with 20 points in ten matches played so far.
Second-placed AS Kigali was forced to a goalless draw by Bugesera away in Nyamata to go to 18 points while 16-time league champion and Peace Cup holders APR Fc drew 1-1 with Musanze Fc on Wednesday to remain three points behind leaders SC Kiyovu.
APR’s Muhadjir Hakizimana scored a stunning goal in the 52nd minute through an assist from Emmanuel Imanishimwe. Musanze equalized through Wai Yeka with a spot kick in the 83rd minute after substitute Obed Imurora was fouled.
Rayon Sports who was forced to a 1-all draw by Miroplast are placed fourth and joint on 15 points with Sunrise, Police and Mukura.
In eighth place is Etincelles with 13 points, one ahead of Marines Fc who picked a point away to Kirehe Fc in their goalless draw. Amagaju Fc who mauled Gicumbi Fc 4-1 rose to tenth position with 11 points, one ahead of Kirehe, Bugesera and Gicumbi who are joint on 10 points. Musanze are ranked 14th with nine points, one ahead of relegation battling sides Miroplast Fc and Espoir Fc who have 8 points each and separated by goal differences.
The league break will now pave way for national team engagement in the CHAN 2018 finals in Morocco from January 12 through February 4.
The Amavubi squad for the continental tournament is set to be unveiled on Friday before heading to Tunisia on New Year for a 10-day training camp where they will reconnect to Morocco.
Rwanda is placed in Group C of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) alongside 2014 winners Libya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
Rwanda will open her Group C encounter against Nigeria on January 15, face Equatorial Guinea on January 19 before concluding her group stage encounter against Libya on January 23, 2018.
The top two teams in Group C will proceed to the last eight.
The competition which is designed for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league will end on February 4,2018.
ARPL, Match Day 10 Results
Police Fc 1-2 Sunrise Fc
Miroplast Fc 1-1 Rayon Sports Fc
Bugesera Fc 0-0 AS Kigali
Kirehe Fc 0-0 Marines Fc
SC Kiyovu 3-0 Etincelles Fc
Espoir Fc 0-0 Mukura VS
APR Fc 1-1 Musanze Fc
Gicumbi Fc 1-4 Amagaju Fc
