APR FC head coach says the club cannot be blamed for fielding 7 expatriate players in a single game during their goalless draw against Gorilla FC at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, November 3.

The existing players’ quota rule recently revised by the Rwanda FA allows clubs to field six foreign players at the same time in the match. However, APR exceeded the number and increased the players to seven.

The army side had six foreign players on the pitch namely Congolese goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila, Ghanaian duo Seidou Yasif Dauda and Richmond Lamptey, Senegalese Aliou Souane, Malian winger Mahamadou Lamine Bah, and Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma until Novice made double substitution in the second half, bringing in Nigerian Nwobodo Chidiebere and Mauritanian Mamadou Sy for Arsene Tuyisenge and Lamptey respectively.

APR played at least five minutes with seven foreign players on the pitch until the coaches were made to make quick substitution by replacing Lamine Bah with Alain Kwitonda to meet the required number.

While the club is at risk of losing the match by forfeit, among other sanctions, Novic said his side is not to blame for what happened.

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"It was a misunderstanding and I cannot comment on it. It is not our fault," Novic told the press in a post-match interview.

Concerning the game, the Serbian tactician emphasized that he wasn&039;t pleased with the performance of his team.

"I am not happy about the result. Some of the players like Mugisha didn't play because of the national assignment. I also had to start Ruboneka from the bench," claimed the Serbian.

APR have played 3 league games so far this season. They have drawn twice and won once. They currently sit 14th on the table with 5 points, 10 behind leaders Police and Gorilla FC. They have, however, played five games less.