Sudan’s Al Merrikh SC opened their Rwandan top-flight campaign with a 2–0 victory over Kiyovu Sports in a match played on Monday at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Daouda Ba scored the opener in the 68th minute before Mohammed Teya Abudegen put the icing on the cake to make 2-0 in the 87th minute.
Kiyovu Sports started lustrously, dominating early possession, but frequent defensive mistakes gave the Sudanese side several openings. They created their first chance through a powerful attempt by Nizigiyimana Karim, but his shot went over the bar.
Al Merrikh responded in the 24th minute when Daouda Ba unleashed a strike from the edge of the box, only to be denied by Kiyovu’s goalkeeper.
Just before the break, Al Merrikh nearly found the opener after Mutjaba Faisal Ishag whipped in a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but Kiyovu’s defenders reacted quickly to clear the threat.
The first half ended goalless.
Kiyovu made adjustments at the restart, with Rwabuhihi Placide making way for Rismo Ekome. Kiyovu’s Amiss Cédric came close to score when he rounded the goalkeeper, but his effort was deflected for a corner that yielded nothing.1
Al Merrikh finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, Daouda Ba firing in a powerful long-range strike to make it 1-0.
In the 87th minute, Mohammed Teya Abudegen sealed the win with Al Merrikh’s second goal, securing a deserved 2–0 victory.
The league continues tomorrow, with APR FC hosting Marine FC in a rescheduled Matchday 1 fixture at Kigali Pele Stadium at 18:00.
