Al Hilal Sporting Club’s growing influence in the Rwanda Premier League was underlined on Monday as the Sudanese side, reduced to ten men early in the match, defeated Mukura VS 2–0 at Kigali Pele Stadium, a result that has intensified scrutiny of their form across the division.
The visitors were forced into an early reshuffle when defender Petruw Aprocius was sent off in the 17th minute for a last-man challenge on Boateng Mensah. Despite the setback, Al Hilal remained composed, reorganised quickly and refused to concede control.
Mukura failed to make their advantage count, missing a clear opportunity through Mensah in the 29th minute. Al Hilal then punished them just before the break when Ahmed Salem raced forward and struck low past goalkeeper Sebwato.
Even with one player fewer, Al Hilal continued to dictate key phases of the game. They almost doubled their lead in the 55th minute after another move involving Salem, before Emmanuel Flomo sealed the result in the 75th minute with a powerful finish inside the box.
The win, achieved under pressure and away from home, has strengthened the perception that Al Hilal have quickly become one of the most disciplined and dangerous sides in the league.
Bugesera FC head coach Banamwana Camarade, whose team is preparing to face Al Hilal later this week, said their current form has not gone unnoticed.
“Al Hilal are strong,” he said. “You look at their players and you can’t even tell who is a starter and who is a substitute because they all deliver. They are well organized and clinical.”
Even so, Camarade said he remains unfazed ahead of the fixture, pointing out that no team is untouchable.
“Even Real Madrid have lost before,” he added. “We respect Al Hilal, but we don’t fear them.”
Bugesera sit 12th in the table after a recent 1–0 loss to Mukura VS. They face Rayon Sports on Sunday before meeting Al Hilal Omduman in what is now shaping up to be a high-interest encounter.
The Sudanese giants have moved up to 16th in the league table. They have 7 points in 3 games.
