On a crisp yesterday (Monday) evening, October 2nd 2023, Kigali Pele Stadium bore witness to a thrilling clash in the Rwanda Premier League, as Kiyovu Sports faced off their formidable rivals, Gorilla FC.
At the stadium whose atmosphere was electric, with fans from both sides filling the stands, with chants and cheers creating an auditory tapestry of anticipation, the match begun to unfold as Kiyovu Sports went to work, with players moving with purpose and creating a flurry of chances to breach Gorilla FC’s formidable defence.
This brought up palpable tension in the air as clocked ticked on as Djuma Nzeyimana the talismanic striker for Kiyovu etched his name in the day’s history on the 35th minute of the game scoring a goal with unwavering determination from an opportunistic pinpoint cross from a one Olivier Niyonzima, giving a lead for Kiyovu with a score of 1-0 as the chanting fans erupted in jubilation as the net bulged.
To Gorilla FC who did not consider this a conclusion, got regrouped, fueled by their burning desire to equalize bringing a flurry of action in the second half of the game. Three minutes after the second half had begun, the game took a dramatic turn when Gorilla FC was awarded a penalty on the 48th minute as Johnson Adeaga stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick that could potentially level the score.
However, this was not a moment of favor for Gorilla FC as Kiyovu’s Goalkeeper, Emmanuel Kalyowa leaped with agility, deflecting the powerful strike as the stadium erupted in cheers and groans. With the missed penalty, the balance of power remained firmly in Kiyovu Sports’ favor as the clock continued to tick away in favor of the home team.
As the game progressed, it became evident that the hosts, Kiyovu Sports had a well-executed game plan. Their defence led by Captain, Niyonzima Olivier Sefu, stood as an unyielding wall against Gorilla FC’s relentless attacks. Their disciplined and organised approach stifled Gorilla’s creativity, limiting their chances in front of the goal.
Captain, Niyonzima Sefu shared his thoughts in a post-match interview with only a face coloured with joy.
“It was a tough game but we are happy to have gone away with the three points. Gorilla is a good team and they gave us a good fight but we were able to create chances and score the winning goal”, said Kiyovu Sport’s Captain, Niyonzima Sefu.
The key to Kiyovu’s victory according to Sefu, lay in their unwavering discipline and organisation.
“We were very disciplined and organised today. We defended well and took our chances when they came in. We also had a great crowd behind us that gave us a lot of motivation”, Sefu added.
Kiyovu’s head coach, Petros Koukouras, in a separate interview, also echoed the sentiments of Captain Sefu.
“I am very proud of my players today. They played with a lot of heart and determination. We were able to execute our game plan perfectly despite the game being a difficult one”, He said.
“I think the key to our victory today was our defence. We were solid at the back and did not give Gorilla many chances. We also took our chances when they came in, which is very crucial and important in games like this”, Petros added.
Kiyovu Sport’s President, Ndolimana Jean Francois Regis, shared his elation in another as he emphasized the significance of the team’s spirit, unity that propelled them to victory.
“I am very happy with the results today. It was a very important match for us, and we were able grab the three points. This is a big step forward for the team and I am confident that we can continue the title seek this season”, said Jean Francois Regis.
As the final whistle blew, Kiyovu Sports held on to their hard-earned victroy as they had been the better team of the day, displaying discipline, organisation, and an unbreakable spirit and perseverance.
The match had been a rollercoaster with a memorable performance, a thrilling narrative of passion, skill and triumph against formidable odds.
