Dutchman happy to have Bokota

APR Dutch coach Rene Feller believes that his team boosts higher chances of winning the 2008/09 league title but thinks Atraco not Rayon Sports posses the greatest challenge to that aspiration.

Feller’s predictions were in response to a question regarding which of the three main title challengers will come out on top at the end of what promises to be a fiercely-contested campaign.

He said, "There are only two or three teams that can win the league but when you consider quality (squad and football-wise) we have the best chance.”

Asked, then if APR are the best placed to win their tenth title in 15 attempts, which challenger between his closest rivals Atraco and Rayon is most likely to give his team the run for their money, his response was as philosophical as they come.

"Rayon have already dropped points (two) and Atraco won 6-1. I did not watch their (Atraco) match but I was told that four of those goals were goalkeeper’s fault.

"It’s only one match played but Rayon already look as though they’re not in good shape at the moment,” stated the veteran tactician whose one-year contract with APR runs out next March.

Despite not stating categorically that Atraco, who are also the reigning champions are better than Rayon; Feller’s response, philosophical as it was, was not far away from affirming that he fears the former over the later.

Regarding reports that he’s short of strikers, a problem that probably cost him and APR the league and Cecafa title last season, he said, "I am working with about 26 or 28 players among them four to five strikers.”

"Nonetheless, I’m happy with the group that I have, I’ve not complained about lacking strikers and still, even if a new striker was to come in, he’d not go straight into my team as he’ll need time to get used to out system and style of play.”

The former Eritrean national team coach says he’s delighted with his team’s start to the season, "A good start is what every team that has ambitions to succeed needs.”

"If you’re going to give yourself any chances of winning the league, you need to make a good start, which is what we’ve done and I hope this will give a good foundation for better things to come in the course of the season.”

About having Labama Bokota in his team than against it, Feller admitted, "I am very happy to have him playing for us. He’s such top striker with a unique style of play. He brings something different to our team.”

"His combination with (Moses) Odiambo is so attractive. The two are not the biggest of players, you don’t see them wrestle with defenders for 90 minutes but what they bring to the team can only make APR better.”

The military side started the season with a comfortable 3-0 success over new boys Amagaju, Bokota marking his debut with a brace and fellow new signing Ismail Nshutinamagara added the other.

The champions sent a stern warning to their rivals by hammering La Jeunesse 6-1, in a game which saw debutants Jean Lomami (2) Johnson Bagoole (1) getting on the scorecards, while Rayon were held to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against their bogey opponents Police.

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