APR FC secured their place in the Heroes Cup final after a convincing victory over AS Kigali in the semi-finals, played this Wednesday at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
The match kicked off with both sides showing high intensity and an appetite for goals. In the 19th minute, AS Kigali’s Frank Onyeabor made a crucial intervention, dispossessing Hakim Kiwanuka just as he was about to pull the trigger following a brilliant pass from Ronald Ssekiganda.
AS Kigali threatened again when Olivier ‘Muzungu’ Dusabimana made a dangerous run toward the box, but his effort was neutralized by an offside whistle. Around the 28th minute, AS Kigali’s appeals for a penalty were waved away after Arsene Tuyisenge went down in the box following a challenge by Claude Niyomugabo.
AS Kigali was forced into an early substitution as Pascal Niyonkuru Kabuga replaced the injured Arsene Tuyisenge. Despite late first-half pressure from APR FC, including several chances for William Togui, the scores remained level at the break.
The second half began with high drama. In the 48th minute, APR FC missed a golden opportunity when Isaac Mitima’s defensive error gifted the ball to Jean Gilbert Byiringiro, who set up Kiwanuka, only for the latter to fire wide.
However, Hakim Kiwanuka redeemed himself in the 59th minute, breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish off another Ssekiganda assist. The lead was doubled just five minutes later when William Togui outmaneuvered the defense to make it 2-0, following a setup by Kiwanuka.
APR FC’s dominance continued, and in the 78th minute, Jean Bosco Ruboneka added a third goal, assisted by Clement Niyigena, to put the game out of reach.
The match ended 3-0 in favor of APR FC. They now await the winner of tomorrow’s semi-final clash between Rayon Sports and Police FC, scheduled for 3:00 PM at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
