Unresolved Delays: The Mystery Behind Rayon Sports vs APR FC Clash

There is still confusion over why the Rayon Sports vs APR FC match has been delayed. This game, originally set for September 14, 2024, at Stade Amahoro, was supposed to be part of Matchday 3 in the Rwanda Premier League. However, it didn’t happen because APR FC played a CAF Champions League qualifier at the same stadium on that day, drawing 1-1 with Pyramids.

As a result, the game became a "pending match." Unlike other postponed games for APR FC, this one had already been included in the Rwanda Premier League schedule. However, the league organizers, Rwanda Premier League, had not prepared for APR FC and Police FC to advance past the first round of their continental matches, which made scheduling complicated.

The initial rescheduled date for the match was October 19, 2024, but APR FC refused. They argued it was unfair to play a Matchday 3 game before clearing their two other pending games. On that day, APR also had a scheduled match against Gasogi United for Matchday 6, so the plan was canceled.

The Rwanda Premier League later postponed matches due to the national team's preparations for a CHAN qualifier against Djibouti, held on October 27, 2024.

Recent information suggests the league planned to reschedule the game for December 7, 2024. Both teams started preparing for this date, and Rwanda Premier League consulted the Ministry of Sports to ensure Stade Amahoro would be available. The ministry confirmed the stadium could host the match.

The league also proposed holding Peace Cup games on the same date, freeing APR FC and Rayon Sports to play their delayed match since neither team would participate in the cup’s preliminary rounds. However, APR FC reportedly objected again, insisting they play the match only after the league’s first round concludes. This would ensure that they face Rayon Sports with a reduced points gap.

Currently, APR FC is in 11th place with eight points from five games, while Rayon Sports leads with 20 points from eight games. If APR wins its pending games, they would trail Rayon by just three points before their showdown, assuming both teams continue winning.

APR FC will play Bugesera next Wednesday for another delayed Matchday 2 game and faces Muhazi this week at Kigali Pelé Stadium. Attempts to contact Rwanda Premier League officials about the ongoing delay were unsuccessful, as none were willing to comment.