APR FC handed head coach Adil Mohammed Erradi and captain Djabel Manishimwe a one-month suspension, each, over their recent misconduct.
The club on Saturday, October 15, held a meeting after which management announced that Adil and Manishimwe will each serve a one-month suspension. As noted, in the interim, assistant coach Ben Moussa takes charge.
"There are principles that govern APR as a military team. When one fails to stick to those principles, it is sometimes important to give them time to think about themselves and that is what happened to coach Adil,” noted Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga, the club’s chairman.
The duo recently engaged in a public spat, in a blame game over the club’s torrid run of form in continental and local football competitions.
Their relationship went from bad to worse when the Moroccan criticized Manishimwe, stating that he considers the midfielder as "not my captain but APR’s.”
The club captain, in turn, took a jibe at his coach for only blaming some of his players, when the team is struggling for results yet they were instrumental in helping him enjoy a successful spell at the club during the past three seasons.
Manishimwe was quick to apologize for the way he behaved towards his coach.
Their persistent tensions were not taken lightly by the club management which took disciplinary measures against them in an effort to bring unity in the dressing room.
Muganga dismissed reports suggesting that the tactician is on the verge of being sacked.
"I want to clear the confusion...Adil was not sacked, he was instead given time to think about himself and look at what to adjust before he returns to his coaching duties.”
In July, Adil signed a two-year contract extension that keeps him at the club the until June 2024.
APR FC is preparing to return to action on Monday, October 17, when they face Police at Kigali Stadium.