Total Champions League

Wednesday, 1st leg

APR Vs Club Africain (Kigali Stadium; 3:30p.m)

AZAM Rwanda Premier League (ARPL) champions APR hope to be in perfect shape for Wednesday’s Total Champions League clash against Tunisian giants Club Africain at Kigali Stadium.

Head coach Jimmy Mulisa said his team have been under-going intensive training ahead of the big game for the preliminary round of Africa’s most coveted club competition.

"The boys have been working hard in training and I think it is a very good sign because we want to reach a far as possible,” said the former Amavubi forward, who replaced Ljubomir ‘Ljupko’ Petrovic, who retired from coaching earlier this month on health grounds.

APR lost 6-2 to Club Africain in the preliminary round of the same competition in 2011, the two sides having played out a 2-all draw in Kigali before APR suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat in return-leg in Tunisia.

"I have watched a few videos of Club Africain and they are a well-balanced side with good technique, so we have to prepare well,” Mulisa noted.

APR were last week training at Kigali Stadium – the venue for tomorrow’s match – before moving to Shyorogi ground.

"For such games, it is important that you win your home games, so I have urged the boys to give everything to make sure we get maximum points,” he added.

Club Africain arrived in the country on Sunday night and started training on Monday afternoon.

They were due to hold training at Kigali Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The team are staying at Umubano Hotel. Their delegation includes 35 people, including players, coaches and administrators.

APR have enjoyed a good start to the new domestic season, winning each of their opening five league games and will be looking to replicate that form in Total Champions League.

APR will travel to Tunis for the second-leg a week later.

The second-leg is due December 5 at Stade Olympique de Radès.

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