Gichumbi secured a 2-1 victory over Police in the opening fixture of the National Football League Regular Season on Sunday. The away side took control early through A. Hakizimana, who struck twice in quick succession before the home side rallied. K. Tangara pulled one back for the hosts, and a fourth goal followed shortly after, but a late penalty from A. Tuyisenge kept things tight until the final whistle. By then, the result had settled into a narrow win for the visitors.
Hakizimana opened the scoring in the 20th minute, catching the defence off guard. He doubled his tally just two minutes later, sending Gichumbi ahead with confidence. Tangara responded for Police in the 25th minute, leveling the contest and shifting momentum. And here's the thing, the fourth goal at 27 minutes came at a crucial moment, forcing both sides to adjust their approach.
The turning point arrived in the 70th minute when A. Tuyisenge converted from the spot. The penalty gave Police hope of an equaliser, but Gichumbi held firm under pressure. To be fair, the away side had been the better side for large periods, and that showed in their composure when it mattered most. The final scoreline reflected a game decided by moments rather than sustained dominance.
Police remain in sixth place with 52 points from 34 matches, while Gichumbi sit 12th on 38 points. The result does little to change either side's position significantly, but it does extend Gichumbi's recent form. By then, the away team had shown they could compete against top-half opposition, something not always evident in their previous outings.