The match, played on this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Kigali Pelé Stadium, started at a fast pace. In the 3rd minute, Al Hilal took the lead after a quickly executed move saw Aziz Bassane mishandle the ball, allowing Girumugisha to pass it to Yagoub Omer Taha, who slotted it calmly into the net.
The Sudanese side continued to press, led by captain Yagoub Omer Taha, but Rayon Sports’ defenders held firm.
Rayon Sports gradually started creating chances on the right flank through Aziz Bassane, who came close to scoring an equalizer. In the 22nd minute, Bigirimana Abedi found himself with a clear shot but failed to beat the goalkeeper. The game remained physical and intense, with several players receiving yellow cards.
Before halftime, Rayon Sports had another chance from a corner taken by Mugisha Didier, with Bigirimana Abedi heading on target, only for the Al Hilal goalkeeper to make a save. The first half ended with Al Hilal leading 1-0.
In the second half, Rayon Sports created another chance, but Emery Nayisenge’s shot hit the wall. In the 55th minute, Al Hilal made substitutions, bringing on Yasir Boshara Omer, Sunday Damilaire, and Ahmed Salem, while Yagoub Omer Taha, Petrus Aprocius, and Kamaradini Mamudu went off. Yasir Boshara Omer came close with a well-placed shot but missed the target.
In the 65th minute, Aziz Bassane had another opportunity from a good pass in the box, but the Al Hilal defenders blocked his shot. Rayon Sports then made substitutions, replacing Tambwe Gloire with Likau Kitoko and Yannick Bangala with Ndayishimiye Richard.
The equalizer finally came in the 77th minute when Likau Kitoko headed in a perfectly delivered ball. Rayon Sports had a chance for a second goal when Ndayishimiye Richard’s header was brilliantly saved by the Al Hilal goalkeeper. Late in the match, Aziz Bassane received a red card.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Rayon Sports with 36 points in 3rd place, three points behind APR FC. Al Hilal retained the top spot with 42 points.
Rayon Sports secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Al Hilal