APR FC head coach Darko Novic says his players deserve a great deal of credit for turning their results around and eliminate Tanzanian outfit Azam from the CAF Champions League.
The Rwandan champions were 1-0 down prior to second leg clash in Kigali before Bosco Ruboneka and Gilbert Mugisha scored in either half to successfully beat the Azam 2-0 at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday, August 24, completing a thrilling 2-1 comeback.
With the result, Novic’s side made it past the preliminary round and set a second round date with against Egyptian powerhouse Pyramids.
"Players deserved this win when you look at the way they played. Our players have now adapted to each other and if you see the way they played the two games. They have improved a lot,” Novic said in post-match press conference.
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"It is possible to lose first leg game but the positive mind we showed to win the return leg was very good and we believe that, if we continue like we did today, we will achieve better results in next matches,” he added.
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After losing the first leg, we had to stick together, it could not be about pointing fingers or blaming anyone else, and no-one did. As a group, they got their heads down, they worked really hard to win the game,” he added.
Asked what his club adjusted in the first leg to eliminate Azam, Novic said, "We showed them a couple of things, and they have taken on the information and, ultimately, it is the players who deserve the credit because they have turned it around on the field.”
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It is a result that left every member of the club, from players to the coaching staff, was excited about but Novic still wants more.
"This is a tough and demanding competition. So, to keep going, as they have, is tremendous. There are lots of positives and we want the players to enjoy these moments.”
After eliminating Azam, the military side now has an uphill task to oust Pyramids in the second and final round if they are to reach in the group stages.
It is going to be a rematch of last season in the same round where they Egyptians eliminated APR on a 6-1 aggregate win. Novic admits a tough team in standing in their way to the group stages but he believes things could go the other way round this season.
"We have a big game against Pyramids to look forward to, we will prepare and get ready for that because I think they are going to be tough side. But we certainly have a good platform to take for forward."