APR’s new head Coach Erik Paske has predicted a win for the military side away to Haras El Hodoud in the return of the African Confederation Cup set for this Saturday in Alexandria, Egypt.
APR’s new head Coach Erik Paske has predicted a win for the military side away to Haras El Hodoud in the return of the African Confederation Cup set for this Saturday in Alexandria, Egypt.
Paske who will be making his debut as APR’s head coach told Times Sport that Hodoud poses no threat to the record nine-time league winners.
"We learnt their style of play and have since addressed their areas of weakness. They resorted to playing a defensive game in the first leg and I don’t think they will play the same style now.”
"Their weakened area (defence) will not be given care because they will want to score and that is where we are going to create many opportunities.”
"We have many chances of winning the second leg due to the much experience gained by our players who are playing top football in the country,” Paske added.
However, the Dutch will find difficulty in assembling his strikers as the sharpened club’s forward players have been ruled out of the second crash.
DR Congo born marksman Ndjoli Bokungu is suspended for the weekend leg after accumulating two yellow cards while another neutralized striker Labama Bokota has been nursing a bout of malaria.
Elias Uzamukunda and Kabange Twite will replace the duo to lead APR’s hunt for crucial away goals upfront.
The military side has a massive task awaiting them in this return leg as they will need win away from home, something that they don’t do quite often especially against North African opposition if they’re to book a place in last 16.
Hodoud, Egyptian Cup winners, made their continental debut in the 2008 and were eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup.
Both clubs played a goalless draw in the first leg played in Kigali a fortnight ago although APR would have been heading into today’s game with a 1-0 goal aggregate had Bokungu’s strike not been wrongfully disallowed for offside.
APR reached the second round after a convincing 6-0 goal aggregate while Hodoud got a bye to the second round.
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