APR FC and Rayon Sports both secured victories in Rubavu over the weekend as they played their seventh-round matches in the Rwanda Premier League, BK Pro League, in an event dubbed ‘Rubavu Special’.
Etincelles FC hosted APR FC at Umuganda Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026. APR won 2-0, with William Toui Mel and Nshimiyimana Yunussu scoring the goals.
The following day, Sunday, November 1, Marine FC hosted Rayon Sports at the same venue. The visitors, popularly known as Gikundiro, came away with all three points after a 2-1 victory. Kameni Junior scored both goals for Rayon Sports, while Niyibizi Ramadhana netted Marine’s only goal.
Rayon Sports’ victory sparks controversy
Although Rayon Sports faced pressure to win after rivals APR FC had claimed victory the previous day, the team delivered the result. However, the match sparked debate, with some observers drawing comparisons to the controversy that often surrounds Marine’s encounters with APR FC.
Many spectators were particularly surprised that all three goals resulted from goalkeeping errors rather than well-worked attacking moves. Both goals scored by Rayon Sports striker Kameni Junior followed mistakes by Marine goalkeeper Kabera Bonheur.
For the first goal, Kabera attempted to clear the ball but lost control, allowing Kameni to take possession and score.
The goalkeeper made another costly mistake when he tried to distribute the ball to relieve pressure on his defence. His poor pass went straight to Kameni, who took advantage, rounded a defender and scored.
Marine’s Niyibizi Ramadhan also benefited from an error by Rayon Sports goalkeeper Dande Junior to score the equaliser.
The incidents sparked widespread debate, drawing a reaction from APR FC captain Djibrill Ouattara. He suggested that had APR scored in similar circumstances against Marine, the result would have been labelled a staged match.
In a post on his Instagram account, Ouattara wrote: “Imagine if APR had beaten them in that kind of fashion.”
Marine coach Yves Rwasamanzi, meanwhile, questioned the officiating, arguing that Rayon Sports should have received a red card.
“If both teams were given equal treatment, Rayon Sports should have received a red card in the first half. You keep favouring them; perhaps one day they will even receive the same treatment away from home,” he said.
Marine had hoped to beat Rayon Sports
Marine FC, coached by Yves Rwasamanzi, had approached the match with confidence, hoping to defeat Rayon Sports on home ground in Rubavu.
The team had been enjoying a strong run of form. Before the match, Marine were second in the provisional league standings and had also been among the highest-scoring teams in recent weeks.
In their two previous matches, Marine had scored seven goals, including a 4-0 victory over Etincelles FC and a 3-0 win against Al Hilal SC.
The team also boasts several promising young players, including Sindi Paul Jesus and Sultan Bobo, alongside Niyibizi Ramadhan, who joined from APR FC. They were all available for the match.
Marine will be disappointed to have let the opportunity slip, although previous meetings between the two sides had favoured Rayon Sports. In their last five encounters, Rayon had won three and drawn two, without suffering a defeat.
Marine’s last victory over Rayon Sports at Umuganda Stadium came in 2022, when they won 3-2.
At the conclusion of the seventh round, Marine were second in the standings with 11 points from seven matches. Rayon Sports were seventh with seven points from four matches, having played three fewer games.
APR FC were 12th with six points from two matches, both of which they had won. They were just behind Etincelles, who had seven points from six matches.
Overall, Gorilla FC led the standings with 12 points from seven matches.
