APR moved two points behind Rwanda Premier League leaders Rayon Sports after they secured a 3-1 thumping victory over Police on Sunday night at Kigali Pele Stadium.

The goals from Hakim Kiwanuka, Clement Niyigena, and Djibril Ouattara saw Darko Novic's team carry off their biggest triumph in the league's second phase.

APR didn't show any hangover signs from their recent 1-0 loss to Mukura last weekend. They entered the game knowing that a win would move them closer to their arch-rival and league leaders, Rayon Sports, who had just dropped two points with a goalless draw against Gasogi United.

Kiwanuka put the visitors in front in the seventh minute with a close-range header following Djibril Ouattara's cross from the right side as the Ugandan international winger registered his first goal of the season.

Vincent Mashami's side had an opportunity to tie the game before the break when APR shot-stopper Pierre Ishimwe stepped up in the 30th minute to deny Elijah Ani's shot inside the box.

Clement Niyigena doubled the lead just two minutes into the second half, prodding the ball into the back of the net after Djibril Ouattara's effort was stopped by Police goalkeeper Patient Niyongira.

APR were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute when Denis Omedi appeared to be tripped by Police's Ashraf Mandela in the box, and Ouattara converted the penalty to put the league holder 3-0 ahead and mark his second goal of the season.

Henry Msanga pulled one back in the 90th minute with a fine header into the bottom corner of the net.

Police had another chance to cut the deficit in injury time when they were awarded a penalty following Claude Niyomugabo's handball in the box, though Didier Mugisha failed from the spot as APR pulled off a 3-1 win.

"I'm happy and satisfied with some parts of the game, but on the other hand, I'm not happy at all with the way we finished this match in the last five minutes, especially the reaction of some players when the supporters started to sign and smile. This is not what I want, and I can't be happy about that," APR head coach Darko Novic told the media after the game.

APR climbed to 40 points and are second in the league standings before hosting Rayon Sports on Sunday, 9 March. Meanwhile, Police stayed in the fifth spot with 28 points from 19 matches.

Hakim Kiwanuka

Photo: The moment Hakim Kiwanuka opened the scoring for APR with a header.