Saturday

APR vs Yanga 3:30pm

Ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League first round, first leg clash against Yanga, APR new head coach Nizar Khanfir has set his main target, which is to win the home game, and convincingly.

The 59-year-old, who took the players through their paces in his second training session at FERWAFA ground on Tuesday, said, "We have watched some of the opponents’ games on video and we are still analysing them for further information before we face them over the weekend.”

"It will be a tough game, especially for me as a new coach but APR is a good side, they play good football except that that is not the style of football that I want to play,” he stated.

The Tunisian added that, "I am happy with what the team has achieved in thelast 23 years since its inception.

This is one of the reasons why I opted to sign with the club on a six month contract. They team needs selfless commitment, energy and playing high-intensity football.”

The former Stade Gabèsien FC and Tunisia U23 team coach arrived in Rwanda on Sunday and watched the league match against AS Muhanga the following day, which ended 3-0 in favour of the army side.

Khanfir has not had much time to instill his ideas and will rely on the work already done by Emmanuel Rubona who has been in charge since start of the season, and will stay on as assistant coach.

His first game against Yanga will be a tricky. APR has only lost one game in the local league this season, and are currently in second place with 30 points, 2 points behind leaders Mukura Victory Sports albeit with two games in hand.

Meanwhile, APR’s veteran goalkeeper, Jean Claude Ndoli says the game against Yanga presents the new coach the best possible opportunity to gaugethe players’ ability to take the club forward.

He said, "The game will definitely be a real test for the new coach, which he also is going to use to look at all of us, but we are confident we shall win the since we are playing at home.”

"As usual it is not easy especially to pick up as a new coach in just few days but as players we are always ready. For the Saturday game, we expect a huge challenge, but they will find it hard.” Ndoli believes.

The return leg will be played on the weekend of March 18-20 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam with the winner of this tie facing Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second round.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw