Monday, July 15

Group C

APR FC vs SC Villa (KMC Stadium)

Kickoff: 12PM CAT

Rwanda’s APR FC will lock horns with Ugandan Champions Villa SC in Group C match day 3 taking place at KMC Stadium on Monday, July 15, as the pair battle for an automatic ticket to the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup semifinals.

The lunchtime crunch tie promises to be a very intriguing on with both teams having their destiny in their own hands to progress to the last four.

APR FC are top of the group with 6 points from their 1-0 identic wins over Singida Black Stars and El Merreikh Bentiu. They need at least a draw to make it to the next stage while it’s a must-win game for the Ugandans if they want to book their place in the semis while SC Villa must win the game at all costs if they are to qualify for the semifinals.

The Ugandan powerhouse are currently in second place on the table with four points, having drawn with El Merreikh Bentiu before thrashing Singida 3-1 on Friday.

APR may have won both games in the group stages but they have not convinced head coach Darko Novic yet after the Serbian admitted his side struggled against El Merreikh Bentiu.

"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."

ALSO READ: Novic names 24-man squad for 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup

SC Villa head coach Dusan Stojanovic, on the other side, pointed out that he was impressed with his team's progress after beating Singida 3-1 and he believes his men will be ready to leave it all on the pitch against APR FC on Monday.

Head to Head

The two teams boast of a total of six trophies between them in the CECAFA Kagame Cup where each side won it three times apiece. SC Villa’s most recent title was in 2005 when they thrashed APR FC 3-0 in the final held in Tanzania, the same country hosting the 2024 edition of the tournament. It was their third trophy after lifting it in 1987 and 2003.

Players to watch

APR have made some great transfer business this window and the new additions have gone on to make the team much stronger. The likes of Mohamadou Sy, who scored the winner against El Merreikh Bentiu, Seidu Dauda, Richmond Lampteyhave proven to be the kinds players who can get the job done.

Still, winger Gilbert Mugisha and striker Victor Mbaoma will be the torchbearers for the Army club. If they get a good day, expect APR FC to go all out for a victory.

For Villa, Najib Yiga, who scored a stunner against Singida Black Stars at the Azam Sports Complex remains one of their precious assets. Patrick Kakande and Reagan Mpande are also top players who can decide the game.