Espoir FC clinched a spot in the second division playoffs with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ivoire Olympic on Sunday, May 12, at Rusizi Stadium. Substitute Jimmy Kibengo emerged as the hero, netting the decisive goal in the second half.
Facing the possibility of missing out on the playoffs, Espoir entered the match with a sense of urgency, determined to secure their postseason berth without relying on the final game of the regular season. The game unfolded with both teams resorting to long balls, a common strategy at Rusizi Stadium due to the challenging pitch conditions.
Despite creating scoring opportunities in the first half, neither team managed to break the deadlock before halftime. However, Espoir’s fortunes changed shortly after the break when coach Marcel Lomami made a strategic substitution, introducing Kibengo into the fray.
Kibengo wasted no time in making an impact, finding the back of the net just 19 minutes into the second half to give Espoir a crucial 1-0 lead. The goal injected excitement into the match following missed chances from both sides.
While Ivoire Olympic made efforts to mount a comeback, Espoir’s defense, led by goalkeeper Christian Kilembe, stood firm to preserve their narrow advantage. The final whistle confirmed Espoir’s 1-0 triumph, securing their place in the second division playoffs.
With this victory, Espoir becomes the second team from Group B to advance to the playoffs, joining Vision FC, who secured their spot with a 3-1 win over Miroplast FC on Saturday, May 11. The stage is now set for an intense postseason battle as these teams vie for promotion to the topflight.
