Reigning champions APR FC may be just six points away from lifting a record-extending 16th league title following a well deserved 2-0 win over Musanze FC on Sunday at Kigali Regional Stadium, but their coach is not about to be carried away.
Nizar Khanfir has called on his players to remain calm and focused until the final whistle in their last game.
Striker Issa Bigirimana and midfielder Fiston Nkizingabo were both on target for the military side, to extend their lead at the top of the league standing to 64 points, after 28 matches.
APR now need to win their remaining two matches to successfully retain the title, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
Khanfir’s side are now eight points ahead of second-placed Mukura Victory Sports (27 matches) and a further 10 points above Rayon Sports, who, however, have played 25 matches.
“It is a very important result but we have to keep working hard until the last game. We need to concentrate on the next game. I am happy with the way my team has played today, but we haven’t won anything yet, so we need to stay grounded and try to get six more points,” Khanfir said after the match.
The Tunisian tactician added that: “The next two matches are more important for us, we win both and we are champions again, so we need to stay focused and not take anything for granted because we expect both (matches) to be tough.”
APR’s remaining two matches are against Marines on June 15 and AS Kigali on July 10.
Elsewhere, Amagaju FC and Rwamagana City played out a 1-all draw in Nyamagabe. With the point, Amagaju leapfrogged Etincelles into 10th place with 29 points while Rwamagana City FC remains 15th with 24 points, with two games to go.
AS Muhanga beat Gicumbi FC 2-1 on Saturday, but still remains rooted at the bottom of the table with 18 points from 27 matches.
Sunday
APR FC 2-0 Musanze
Amagaju 1-1 Rwamagana City
Saturday
AS Muhanga 2-1 Gicumbi FC
Mukura VS 1-0 AS Kigali
SC Kiyovu 3-2 Sunrise FC
League table
Team PD W D L Pts
APR FC 28 20 4 4 64
Mukura 27 18 2 7 56
Rayon 25 15 9 1 54
AS Kigali 28 15 8 5 53
Police FC 27 11 10 6 43
Kiyovu 27 12 6 9 42
Bugesera 27 9 7 11 34
Gicumbi Fc 28 8 10 10 34
Sunrise Fc 28 8 9 11 33
Amagaju 28 6 11 11 29
Etincelles 27 7 8 12 28
Espoir 27 6 10 11 28
Marines 26 5 12 9 27
Musanze 28 6 7 15 25
Rwamagana 28 6 6 16 24
AS Muhanga 27 4 6 17 18
