APR’s victory over the reigning African champions, TP Mazembe, shows that Rwandan football is heading in the right direction.

Although the victory did come as a surprise to the Mazembe fans, it was a thoroughly deserved one due to the players’ hard work and determination as well as the support of the Rwandan fans. The historical win shows that in football, everything is possible.

This was the first loss for Africa’s champions since their ill-fated participation in the Fifa World Club Championships where they never won a single game.

The victory will go a long way to restore hope among Rwandans who had stopped watching football due to the pain they experienced due to disappointing performances by the national team, Amavubi Stars, during the 2010 World Cup and Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.

Before this round, APR had ejected Angola’s Recreativo de Libolo on a 3-2 goal aggregate.

APR Football Club have proved that they can do the job home and or away, therefore, following Saturday’s historical win over a team regarded as the best on the African continent, there is hope the Rwandan champions can get a good result in the return leg in Lubumbashi in two weeks’ time.

If APR can beat the best team in Africa, it’s a sign that Rwandan football has taken a considerable stride to development, and if the current team is nurtured well, then it means a few years from now, our clubs will be able to command respect on the continental scene.

Regardless of Saturday’s win, Rwandans should have faith in their teams, be it clubs or national, by offering their support regularly.

Congratulations to APR for making the country proud.

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