Police FC head coach Vincent Mashami still can’t believe Osee Iyabivuze’s 78th minute goal was disallowed during his side’s 2-1 victory over APR on Saturday at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
First half goals from Didier Mugisha and Dominique Savio Nshuti were enough to help the law enforcers register their first victory against the military side since 2012.
Police thought they had scored the third goal in the 78th minute but their celebration was cut short after the fourth match official controversially chalked it off, insisting goal scorer Iyabivuze was offside although centre referee Abdul Twagirumukiza and the assistant referee had confirmed that it was a goal.
It’s a decision that Mashami and the rest of the team protested, sparking altercations among players from both teams.
Mashami questioned the referee’s judgement in overturning Iyabivuze’s goal which he insists should have stood unless they are ‘new rules I don’t know.’
“It’s unbelievable! I don’t know what to say at the moment but again it is the first time I’m seeing this in Africa… maybe in Rwanda. We never know, maybe there are new [football] rules that I don’t know yet, but let’s wait and see what happens,” claimed Mashami in a post-match interview.
Police have been in fine form during the second round of Rwanda Premier League and Mashami has been a driving force in the club’s recent impressive run of results including victories against top teams like Rayon Sports, AS Kigali and now APR.
The former Amavubi tactician heaped praise on his players for showing a winning mentality against the team chasing the title.
“It’s a good win and I think we deserved to win this game. It was well-deserved and I congratulate the boys for the performance and the result,” he said.
“We dropped so many points in the first round of the league and we are now trying to catch up,” he added.
Defeat for Ben Moussa’s APR was good news for SC Kiyovu who climbed to the league table summit with 56 points after beating Gorilla FC 2-1 at Muhanga Stadium.
The title is now the Green Baggies’ to lose as they opened a three-point lead ahead of APR FC with just four matches to go.
