Denis Omedi scores brace on his debut as APR beat Kiyovu Sports

Denis Omedi netted two goals on his league debut to fire APR to a narrow 2-1 victory over Kiyovu Sports on Saturday evening at Kigali Pele Stadium.

The Ugandan forward was among three APR debutants in the league that started tonight along with Djibril Ouattara and Hakim Kiwanuka, all of whom had joined the club in the January 2025 transfer window.

Darko Novic's side, fresh from winning the Heroes Cup title, were forced to play without their left winger, Gilbert Mugisha, who was suspended, but they showed no sign of missing on the pitch, with Omedi hitting the ground running.

Romami Marcel, who was in the dugout for the first time since taking over as Kiyovu Sports head coach, and his men came into the game hoping to move out of the rock-bottom place, and they got off to a great start.

They took an early lead with David Niyo deftly scoring with a left-foot low effort from outside the box in the 11th minute.

The visitors rebounded quickly, and it was Omedi, the man that propelled APR to the Heroes Cup final last week, who equalised in the 25th minute.

The Ugandan international cut inside the box from the right side and neatly curled the ball into the top corner of the net.

He put APR in front for the first time in the game four minutes before the break, with a header from close range after Djibril Ouattara's attempt was cleared off the line.

Both sides played out a boring goalless draw in the second half although created a couple of chances.

However, it was in favour of the league holder, who climbed to 34 points in the second spot, two points adrift of league leader Rayon Sports, who will play their Day 16 fixture on Sunday, 9 February.

Mamadou Sy was handed almost 20 minutes of playing time tonight after being slammed by his coach, Darko Novic, yesterday for playing at a subpar level and causing APR to "lose many points."

Kiyovu Sports stayed in the 16th place, a rock-bottom place, with just 12 points from 16 matches.

Photo: Djibril Ouattara's attempt was cleared off the line before Omedi put APR ahead.

Photo: Denis Omedi scores the second goal for APR.

Photo: APR skipper Claude Niyomugabo gives Denis Omedi a big hug after the latter scored.

Photo: APR skipper Claude Niyomugabo was shown yellow for committing a foul in the second half.

Photo: Djibril Ouattara had three big chances missed in the first half of his league debut.

Photo: Hakim Kiwanuka also makes a league debut tonight.

Photo: APR's starting XI pose for a customary photo before the match.

Photo: Kiyovu's starting XI pose for a customary photo before the match.