Paske backs APR to win all three major trophies this season

AFTER winning a third successive Kagame Cup title at home, Rwanda’s ten-time league champions APR have set eyes on winning a treble this season.

The military side head coach Erik Paske told Times Sport yesterday about his team’s targets for the season. "We have set our eyes on winning the remaining trophies; Primus league and MTN Peace Cup to realize our dream of lifting a treble this season.”

"We are favourites to win a treble. We are currently leading the Primus National League and we need to win our semi-final game of the MTN Peace Cup to reach the final,” Paske said.

The Dutch tactician whose contract with APR expires October this year has vowed to leave a lasting legacy by being only the second man to win a treble for the military side.

If Paske wins a treble this season, he will be the second coach to do so. In 2007, DR Congo coach Andy Mfutila won a treble for APR. He guided the military to their second Kagame Cup title which was hosted in Rwanda, national football league, MTN Peace Cup and a pre-season football tournament dubbed Super Cup.

The military side still have three matches to play before winding up their 2009/10 campaign season. They will play host Etincelles on June 9 before playing away to Atraco on June 15 before winding up the season with the clash against their bitter rivals Rayon Sport on June 22 at Amahoro stadium.

The MTN Peace Cup campaign will resume on June 12 as APR takes on Electrogaz in the semi-final of the lucrative competition ahead of the finals due on June 19. Atraco will host Rayon Sport at Nyamirambo stadium.

Paske, who took over from his compatriot Rene Feller in April last year, led his side to their third Kagame Cup title after beating Ethiopia’s St. George 2-0 in the final of this year’s competition on Saturday at Amahoro stadium.

Malawi international striker Chiukepo Msowoya scored the first goal on 92nd minute and set up the second for his compatriot Victor Nyirenda four minutes later to earn a deserved victory for the Black and White side.

Chiukepo, who leaves the military side for South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, led the top scorers’ chat with seven goals.
Rwanda’s other representative Atraco finished fourth in the tournament after losing Sam Ssimbwa’s side Sofapaka 1-2 in the third place playoff match.

Akinyemi Abbas scored the opening goal for the Kenyans on 19th minute and Laurent Tumba scored the second on 21st minutes of the first half. Daddy Birori took his goal tally to five with Atraco’s consolation.

President Paul Kagame gave APR the Kagame Cup trophy and a $30.000 kaki envelop. St George pocketed $20.000 while Sofapaka bagged $10.000 respectively.

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