Rwandan champions APR FC on Monday, July 8, departed for Tanzania, hoping to lift the fourth CECAFA Kagame Cup in club history and the first in 14 years.
The last time APR FC won the tournament was in 2010 when they defeated Saint George 2-0 in the final.
With the 2024 edition kicking off on Tanzania Tuesday, July 9, coach Darko Novic and his Lions face a herculean task in their quest for regional glory.
They are paired in a tough Group C which also comprises Villa Club from Uganda, Singida from Tanzania as well as South Sudanese powerhouse Al Merreikh Betumi.
Times Sports takes a look at each of APR FC’s rivals in the group stages.
Singida
An emerging force in Tanzanian football, Singida are bent on going all out in the regional competition.
They have appointed veteran Belgian gaffer Patrick Aussems as the man to lead the club. Singida reached the group stages of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup and they will be aiming to go all out in another high profile competition.
Thomas Ulimwengu remains their star player. Already a national asset with 7 goals in 49 international appearances for the Taifa Stars, Ulimwengu is poised to lead Singida in the CECAFA Kagame Cup. They kick off the campaign on Tuesday against Rwandan champions APR FC at KMC Stadium.
Typical of a team coached by Aussems, Singida's stronghold is likely to be their midfield.
Villa SC
Villa SC won the 2023/24 Ugandan Premier League and they will be aiming to make it double swoop by lifting the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
They are coached by Serbian Dusan Stojavovic who is well versed in the game.
Midfielder Patrick Kakande will be the main man for Villa in the competition. He was the club's top scorer last season with 9 goals.
Al Merreikh
South Sudanese powerhouse Al Merrikh will be making their debut appearance in the CECAFA Kagame Cup. They won their country's national Cup in 2018 and 2023.
Experienced Ugandan tactician Leo Adraa will be leading the club in Tanzania. He has installed discipline and self-belief in the team and it could a hidden card for the club to challenge rivals.
Adraa is tactically good and he is arguably the most acknowledgeable foreign coach in South Sudan, having been the first man to lead a South Sudan club Atlabara FC to the CAF Champions League in 2014.
Al Merrikh's best player is goalkeeper Jumas Genaro. At 38, he is both a national team and club icon having made 21 appearances in the latter.
APR FC’s Group C fixtures
Tuesday, July 9
APR FC vs Singida Big Stars: 4PM (KMC Stadium)
Friday, July 12
APR FC vs El Merreikh: 9PM (Azam Complex)
Monday, July 15
APR FC vs SC Villa: 1PM (KMC Stadium)