After defeating their traditional archrivals Rayon Sports last week, APR head coach Jimmy Mulisa has revealed that the focus has now been turned to their forthcoming crucial CAF Champions League preliminary round tie against Zambia’s Zanaco FC on the weekend of February 10-12.

The reigning champions on Saturday brought to an end Rayon’s 13 match unbeaten run since October last year after beating them 1-0 thanks to striker Issa Bigirimana’s goal in the 23rd minute. The win granted APR the top spot for the first time since the league started.

Despite taking on Bugesera FC over the weekend before flying to Zambia for their first leg tie a week later, Mulisa has disclosed that the focus is on their champions league tie hoping to make it to the group stages for the first time ever.

"What’s important now is the game against Zanaco FC, winning it would be a very good turning point. Everyone knows how important it is to win the game, we started the preparations and we are ready for the challenge,” Mulisa told Times Sports

The 16-time record champions will play the first leg away to Zanaco FC before hosting the return leg tie at Amahoro Stadium on February 18.

The former APR striker further added, "We have to work hard and ensure that we keep a clean sheet in the first leg away in order to give ourselves a good chance to finish off the job in the return leg match in-front of our home fans.”

Mulisa was part of the APR side that reached the second qualification round in 2004 under the late Jean Marie Ntagwabira.

Since they made their debut in Africa’s biggest club competition in 1997, APR have never reached the group stages whereas their opponents Zanaco reached the last 16 in 2010, their best record so far.

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