Record 13-time winners APR have to wait another year to add to their Peace Cup trophy haul after being eliminated by Police FC in the semi-finals on the away goals’ rule. 

Both teams came into yesterday’s second leg match at Kicukiro stadium with the tie level at 1-1 from the first leg played on Sunday at the same venue—the second leg, which was hosted by the former, ended goalless.

Police, seeking a first ever major trophy in the club’s ten-year history, will face seven-time Peace Cup winners Rayon Sports in Saturday’s final at Amahoro national stadium.

Knowing a draw was enough to send his team to the final for the first time since 2011, Police head coach Andre Cassa Mbungo threw caution to the wind by setting up a defensive-minded game plan, which frustrated their opponents, who themselves knew nothing but a win would send them through.

"We’re happy to reach the final, it means a lot to this club, and I am pleased the players followed my instructions. It was a very tough game,” said Mbungo, who is looking to win his second Peace Cup title after guiding AS Kigali to glory in 2013.

Mbungo, known for his tactical shrewdness, employed a 4-5-1 formation with youngster Idisbald Nshuti, who scored in the first leg, leading the line—not that he did much to trouble APR goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi, who had a very quiet game.

The game had almost everything you need to see in a cup semi-final with hard tackles flying and tempers flaring at times but referee Abdul Twagiramukiza did so well to contain every situation.

APR coach Dusan Suljagic played with two strikers, Michel Ndahinduka and Bernabe Mubumbyi but both didn’t do enough to test Police goalie Emery Nvuyekure, who played on for full 90 minutes despite getting a knock on the right knee midway through the first half. 

Nvuyekure, who made one notable save by tipping over the bar a dipping shot-cum cross from APR full-back Michel Rusheshangoga in the second period and a couple of routine saves, was booked for complaining to the referee about time with a minute of the five minutes of stoppage time left.

Packing the bus

For longer spells of game, Police played inside their half as the midfield and defence did their bit dutifully, a strategy that gave too much freedom for APR defence to play without much pressure—third choice keeper, Kimenyi, did have a single real save to make the whole match.

After the game, a frustrated APR assistant coach Vincent Mashami said, "Only one team came to play and try to win while the other just packed the bus and made sure they don’t concede, but this is football.”

Having played two Peace Cup finals in the past and on both occasions coming short against APR, Police will go into the final against Rayon Sports hoping to make it a third time lucky. APR will face relegated Isonga FC in the battle for third place.

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