Rwanda: Omedi, Lwanga, Kiwanuka close in on double as APR seize top spot

Photo by APR Media.

Uganda Cranes trio Denis Omedi, Taddeo Lwanga, and Hakim Kiwanuka are closing in on a potential domestic double with Rwandan giants APR FC, after a dramatic weekend that saw APR take control of the Rwanda Premier League title race.

APR edged Gorilla FC 1-0 at Kigali Pele Stadium, thanks to a 60th-minute penalty from Djibril Ouattara. The decision was not without controversy, but it proved decisive. Gorilla finished with 10 men after Mohammed Camara was shown red late in the game for dissent.

This crucial victory propelled APR to 61 points two ahead of closest challengers Rayon Sports with just two matches left in the season. The title race took a chaotic twist when Rayon Sports' game against Bugesera FC was suspended in the 60th minute due to crowd trouble.

Rayon were trailing 2-0 when their fans reacted angrily after the referee denied them a penalty appeal in the 53rd minute and, minutes later, awarded a spot-kick to Bugesera in a similar incident. Farouk Sentongo had earlier given Bugesera the lead in the 13th minute before Nigerian forward Umar Abba converted the controversial penalty.

The officiating decisions sparked outrage from Rayon supporters, who hurled objects onto the pitch and disrupted play, forcing the match to be called off. The Rwanda FA is now expected to make a ruling on the outcome, a decision that could have a massive bearing on the final standings.

While the chaos unfolded elsewhere, APR’s title ambitions remained on track. With the Peace Cup already in their cabinet this season, victory in their final two league matches—away to Rwamagana and at home to Musanze—would see them retain the league crown and complete a memorable domestic double.

Denis Omedi has been in superb form throughout the season, while Lwanga’s experience and Kiwanuka’s attacking prowess have proven instrumental in APR’s push for glory. The Ugandan trio now stand just two wins away from etching their names in Rwandan football history.