APR FC’s hero was Sharaf Eldin Shaiboub, whose stunning first-half goal helped his team open the league season with a bang, defeating Police FC 1-0 on Monday.
The game, which closed Rwanda Premier League matchday 2, was highly anticipated since it was the first time both sides had faced each other after modifying their regulations to enable the use of international players after more than a decade of only utilizing Rwandan players.
Both sides had good beginnings to the game, which increased tension on the field and kept the defenders busy in the first half. Innocent Nshuti of APR was the first to produce a big chance in front of goal, but his effort was blocked, resulting in a corner kick.
APR dominated the game from then on, and in the 15th minute, the reigning champions believed they had taken the lead when Alain Bacca Kwitonda executed a bicycle kick that would have been a fantastic goal but was ruled out for offside. Following that, Police sought to create some huge opportunities and tension in front of Pavelh Ndzila’s goal with the help of players like Abedi Bigirimana and team captain Savio Nshuti, who shined in this game.
The scenario changed dramatically in the 39th minute, when Shaiboub scored from 25 yards out to give APR a 1-0 lead, throwing the Kigali Pele Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
At halftime, police coach Vincent Mashami made three substitutions, with Bienvenue Mugenzi, Djibrine Akuki, and Pacifique Ngabonziza replacing Chukwuma Odili, Carnot Shami, and Muhadjiri Hakizimana.
These changes were critical for Mashami’s team since they added tension to their offense. Soon after, Bigirimana passed Akuki, who scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving Police players enraged. Despite this, Mashami’s troops kept working hard to even the score.
APR head coach Thierry Froger was aware of this, and he saw that his front line need reinforcements. To replace Nshuti and Kwitonda, the French coach promptly brought in Victor Mbaoma and Apam Assongwe.
Froger’s team received a free kick two minutes later, which was taken by Fitina Omborenga, but the APR captain’s attempt went wide.
Later on, the duo kept trying to score, and in the final four minutes, Police’s Didier Mugisha managed to put a cross into the penalty box. However, APR centre-back Salomon Bindjeme, who had an outstanding debut, cleared the ball, giving Police a sixth corner kick to APR’s two.
Nothing noteworthy, such as a goal, occurred from the corner kick for the Rwanda National Police-owned team, as APR won 1-0.
The win moves APR up to sixth position in the rankings with three points, but they still have a game to catch up to other clubs.