Moussa Gatera got his tactics right as traveling Rutsiro FC frustrated APR FC in Sunday’s goalless draw at Kigali Pele Stadium.

Gatera’s job is on the line as his side continues to struggle for form and he knew a defeat at the hands of the Rwandan champions would possibly get him sacked. But his men fought for him as the result instead made APR FC slip again as they continued to struggle to adapt to the Rwanda Premier league rhythm.

APR head coach Darko Novic had his full arsenals on the pitch, the only absentee was midfielder Seidu Dauda Yussif who was not on the match day squad.

Gatera, on the other side, instituted a very compact approach, by loading the midfield and leaving Jonas Malekidogo Mumbere as the lone ranger upfront.

APR started to attack Rutsiro from the onset but, as the game progressed, they were crowded in the middle and, as a result, Taddeo Lwanga and Richmond Lamptey found it difficult getting the ball to Mamadou Sy.

The home side had some decent chances especially in the 20th minute but Sy could not convert it, as goalkeeper Arnold Matumele saved the situation.

Rutsiro FC were not pushing that much as they opted to stay back and built their offensive approach on counterattacks.

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After the break, Novic pulled out Lamine Bah and Lamptey for Frodouard Mugiraneza and Ramadhan Niyibizi as he decided to strengthen the right wing and the midfield. But they still found it difficult to break down the visitors.

They opted to pass the ball among themselves in order to pull Rutsiro FC from their shells but it still bore no fruit as the visitors left no spaces between them.

APR brought on Victor Mbaoma and Arsene Tuyisenge for Mamadou Sy and Taddeo Lwanga in the 75th minute as Novic looked to break the deadlock.

The two substitutes made some quick impact as APR started to make incursions into the Rutsiro FC vital area but veteran Alexis Ngirimana and Jean Hitimana were superb as they thwarted most of their efforts.

Olivier Dushimimana replaced Bosco Ruboneka to help his side push for the match winner in the final 10 minutes but it was to no avail as the game ended 0-0.

It was yet another frustrating afternoon for the army side which was playing before their new chairman Brig Gen Deo Rusanganwa. They now sit 11th on the table with 8 points, although they have played four fewer games.

Rutsiro’s draw also pushed them to 10th place with 9 points. They have managed at least one point per match.