Rwanda National Police

Police FC head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo believes his side has the ability to contend for the National Football League title ahead of the second round that resumes in a fortnight.

The law enforcers are third on the league table with 24 points, eight points behind table leaders APR who are five clear of second placed AS Kigali that has 27 points from 13 games.

Mbungo revealed that, “We started the season on a strong note but then lost abit of form. However, I am very impressed that we finished the first round on a high. It has not been easy but we are third on the table standings which is a very good thing.”

Police thrashed Rusizi-based Espoir 4-1 in their last match of the first round played on January 11 at Kicukiro artificial turf.

Striker Jacques Tuyisenge opened the score in the 15th minutes through a spot kick after his teammate Jean Claude Uwacu was brought down inside the box, to increase his tally to four goals.

Kipson Atuheire doubled the lead 20 minutes later with a header from Tuyisenge’s cross, to make it 2-0 before the break.

The law enforcers continued to dominate the match even in the second half but a loose in their defence gave the visitors a chance to narrow the lead to 2-1 in the 53rd minute, but their celebrations were cut short when substitute Idesearb Nshuti, who came in for Kipson Atuheire in the 50th minute, put his name on the score sheet two minutes later to make it 3-1 just as Espoir players had revived their hope of at least looking for an equalizer.  

However, Nshuti’s goal was contested by Espoir players in which their defender Katauti Ndikumana was shown a straight red card after he threw a bottle of water on the referee.

In the 80th minute, defender Gabriel Mugabo made it 4-1 to give Coach Andre Cassa Mbugo a comfortable win.

Mbungo revealed that the return of Tuyisenge from injury and availability of strikers like Atuheire will give his side an advantage going into the second round which he believes will provide a chance to get to the top of the table.

“I am happy for the win especially at the time we are preparing for return legs, and to keep pleasure on table leaders,” coach Mbugo said.

“We have had some mistakes in the last games but we will work towards correcting them in return legs. Currently we have some injuries but we hope all the injured players will be back by them to further contest for the trophy,” he explained.

Additional info: The New Times