APR FC head coach Darko Novic admits El Merreikh Bentiu gave his side a hard time during the pair’s CECAFA Cup encounter at Azam Complex on Friday.

The Rwandan champions overcame the South Sudanese with a narrow 1-0-win courtesy a second half strike from substitute Mohamadou Sy. The Malian striker opened his goal account days after joining the army side early this week.

"We played against a very strong team, we had the same goal to win; football is difficult, especially scoring goals. We played against a very physical team with taller players," Novic told the press in a post-match interview.

"In the first half, our right side wasn't that good but in the second half, our reaction was much better. We started to work very hard with our defensive line. We also have to win our next game."

With the win, APR maintained their top spot in Group C with 6 points, two points ahead of second-placed Villa SC. The two sides will face off in the battle of the top spot on Monday, July 15.

The winner of each of the three groups will advance to the semifinals. They will