Peace Cup: Rayon Sports seal huge win over Rutsiro as Musanze held APR to scoreless draw

It was a bittersweet afternoon for Rwanda's football rivals, Rayon Sports and APR, as they had contrasting results in the first leg of the Peace Cup round 16 on Wednesday, 12 February.

Rayon Sports secured a huge 2-1 victory over Rutsiro at Umuganda Stadium thanks to Adama Bagayogo’s strike and Youssou Diagne’s header, whilst APR were held at Ubworoherane Stadium by Musanze to a goalless draw.

Robertinho and his men were seeking to bounce back after suffering setbacks in Rwanda Premier League, and the Brazilian gaffer handed Malian midfield Souleymane Daffé, who joined the team a week ago, a debut, and Patient Ndikuriyo was trusted again to start between the sticks.

Bagayogo gave the 2023 Peace Cup champions a lead in the 23rd minute with a fine strike after Fall Ngagne set him up from inside the box, and they took that advantage to the half-time break.

Diagne doubled the lead in the 60th minute to mark his third goal of the season, and it was Kevin Muhire, who assisted twice during their 2-2 tie against Musanze in the league, who delivered a long-range cross for the Senegalese defender to score with a head.

Jonas Mumbere Malikidogo pulled one back for Rutsiro in the 84th minute, following a howler from Ndikuriyo who failed to keep out the Congolese’s low effort from outside the box despite getting his hands to the ball.

The second-leg matches are set for 18 and 19 February.