Musanze FC, a team that established itself as a strong contender in the 2023-24 season by finishing third with 53 points, now finds itself in a difficult situation, struggling to avoid relegation to the second division.
In the 2024-25 season, Musanze FC sits in
14th place with 19 points, just one point ahead of Kiyovu Sports, who are in
the relegation zone, and four points above bottom-placed Vision FC.
During the 2023-24 season, Musanze FC was a
title-chasing team, securing crucial victories against top teams like Rayon
Sports, Kiyovu Sports, and AS Kigali. However, the current 2024-25 season has
brought a complete turnaround, with the team now battling to stay in the top
flight.
1.
Musanze FC 4-1
Etoile de l'Est
2.
Musanze FC 1-0
Bugesera
3.
Musanze FC 2-1
Sunrise
4.
Musanze FC 1-2
APR FC
5.
Musanze FC 0-0
Mukura VS
6.
Musanze FC 3-0
Etincelles FC (Forfeit)
7.
Musanze FC 1-0
Rayon Sports
8.
Musanze FC 1-1
Muhazi United
9.
Musanze FC 1-0 AS
Kigali
10. Musanze FC 1-0 Kiyovu Sports
11. Gasogi United 2-1 Musanze FC
12. Musanze FC 0-1 Gorilla FC
13. Musanze FC 2-0 Amagaju
14. Musanze FC 4-0 Marines FC
15. Musanze FC 0-3 Marines FC
16. Musanze FC 0-0 Etoile de l'Est
17. Musanze FC 2-1 Bugesera FC
18. Musanze FC 0-0 Sunrise
19. Musanze FC 1-3 APR FC
20. Musanze FC 1-0 Mukura VS
21. Musanze FC 1-1 Etincelles FC
22. Musanze FC 1-0 Rayon Sports
23. Musanze FC 1-0 Muhazi United
24. Musanze FC 0-1 AS Kigali
25. Musanze FC 1-3 Kiyovu Sports
26. Musanze FC 2-1 Gasogi United
27. Musanze FC 0-1 Gorilla FC
28. Musanze FC 2-1 Amagaju
29. Musanze FC 0-1 Marines FC
30. Musanze FC 1-0 Police FC
This impressive performance in the 2023-24
season helped Musanze FC secure third place with 53 points. They finished four
points behind Rayon Sports, who were second with 57 points, while champions APR
FC topped the table with 68 points, 15 ahead of Musanze FC.
However, the fighting spirit that defined
Musanze FC in 2023-24 is missing in 2024-25. After 20 matches played so far,
Musanze is in a relegation battle with only 19 points.
1.
Musanze FC 1-1
Muhazi United
2.
Musanze FC 0-1 AS
Kigali
3.
Musanze FC 0-1
Police FC
4.
Musanze FC 3-0
Amagaju
5.
Musanze FC 1-1
Marines FC
6.
Musanze FC 1-1
Marines FC
7.
Musanze FC 0-1
APR FC
8.
Musanze FC 1-1
Bugesera FC
9.
Musanze FC 0-1
Rayon Sports
10. Musanze FC 1-1 Gasogi United
11. Musanze FC 0-0 Etincelles FC
12. Musanze FC 1-0 Kiyovu Sports
13. Musanze FC 0-0 Rutsiro FC
14. Musanze FC 1-0 Gorilla FC
15. Musanze FC 0-3 Vision FC
16. Musanze FC 2-2 Rayon Sports
17. Musanze FC 0-1 Gorilla FC
18. Musanze FC 3-3 Police FC
19. Musanze FC 1-2 AS Kigali
20. Musanze FC 0-0 Bugesera FC
InyaRwanda sought to understand the reasons
behind Musanze FC's drastic decline by speaking to the team's manager, Imurora
Japhet, popularly known as Drogoba. He admitted that even within the club, they
struggle to comprehend what went wrong.
Japhet stated: "No two seasons are the same. If you
analyze closely, nothing significant has changed within the team. Sometimes
things just don’t work out, and then they keep going wrong. You might miss out
on a top spot or fail to win the title, but relegation is a completely
different concern."
When asked whether Kiyovu Sports could
overtake them by winning two games, Japhet downplayed the possibility: "If Kiyovu wins two
matches, that doesn't automatically mean they will win all remaining games. The
good thing for Musanze FC is that we still have direct matches against teams in
the relegation zone. The outcome of those matches will determine if we stay up
or go down."
Japhet admitted that the fans are struggling
to accept this downturn, especially after the team finished third last season.
"It’s hard for them to accept because we created expectations by
finishing third. Now that we are struggling, they feel disappointed. However,
nothing major has changed. The management is the same, their support remains
unchanged, only two players left, and the coaching staff remains intact except
for Miggy, the fitness coach. So, if you try to pinpoint what destabilized the
team, it’s difficult to find a clear answer."
Japhet also noted that Musanze FC’s success
last season made other teams prepare differently when facing them.
"Since we finished third, other teams now prepare more seriously
against us. Also, our fixture schedule this season has been tough compared to
last season. We started the league with two consecutive away matches and also
had three away matches at the start of the second round. However, this could
work in our favor because we will have several home games towards the end of
the season, which will be crucial in our relegation battle."
When asked about concerns over match-fixing,
Japhet dismissed the fears: "At this point, we are not focusing on whether other teams are
being helped. Our focus is on saving ourselves. We are not worried about what
is happening at Kiyovu Sports; we are only fighting for Musanze FC."
Japhet concluded by expressing confidence in the
integrity of Rwandan refereeing, despite occasional controversial decisions.
As the season nears its end, Musanze FC faces
a difficult task ahead, but they remain hopeful of securing their place in the
top flight.
Musanze FC continues to struggle for survival
in the 2024-25 season
Musanze FC strategizes to fight
relegation to the second division.
Musanze FC is among the teams that
could find themselves in the second division if they are not careful
Kin
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