Ugandan midfielder Hakim Kiwanuka was introduced in the second half as Etincelles produced a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 with APR in a Rwanda Premier League week 24 fixture at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday.
Kiwanuka came off the bench in the 70th minute to replace APR’s two-goal scorer Djibril Ouattara, moments before Etincelles struck the equaliser through Djalilu Ishimwe in the 79th minute.
The substitution was one of several tactical changes by APR head coach Darko Novic, but they were ultimately unable to hold onto their lead.
Notably, Kiwanuka was the only Ugandan to feature for APR in the high-stakes encounter.
His countrymen Denis Omedi and Taddeo Lwanga, both of whom are also on APR’s roster, were not listed in the matchday squad.
APR appeared to be in full control after Ouattara netted twice in the first half — the first from the penalty spot in the 8th minute after he was brought down by Hussein Nsabimana, and the second a well-timed header from a Bosco Ruboneka corner just before halftime.
Etincelles, however, responded strongly in the second half. Hussein Nsabimana made amends by converting a penalty in the 55th minute to halve the deficit, before Ishimwe’s 79th-minute strike ensured the visitors walked away with a point.
The result saw APR FC drop to second on the league table with 49 points, one behind Rayon Sports, who moved top following their 1-0 win over Muhazi United.
Etincelles climbed to eighth place with 29 points, overtaking Amagaju FC who lost 2-1 to AS Kigali.
