APR’s new coach Ernest Wilhelmus Johannes Brandts is expected to arrive in the country this morning and will started work immediately, the club Secretary General Adolphe Kalisa has said.

The Dutchman signed a one-year renewable contract early this month replacing his compatriot Erik Paske, who turned down an offer to extend his contract, instead preferring to search for greener pastures in Europe.

Kalisa told this paper that much as Brandts will be tasked to defend the Primus League, MTN Peace Cup and Kagame Cup, his main assignment will be to try and steer the 11-times league champions to the group stages of the coveted Orange Champions League.

Seeking to make an impact on the continental championship next season, the military side is looking to strengthen their squad. They are reported to have agreed on terms with Ugandan international midfielder Johnson Bagoole and Burundian international Karim McKenzie Bizigirimana.

Brandts is a former Netherlands International, who won 28 caps for the Oranje, scoring five goals. He featured for PSV Eindhoven, Roda JC Kerkrade, MVV Maastricht and De Graafschap.

Brandts also featured for Holland at the 1978 FIFA World Cup. As coach, he has managed PSV Eindhoven (1993-2002), RKSV Nuenen (2002-2004), FC Volendam (2005-2006) and NAC Breda (2006-2008).

In 2009, he was appointed coach of Rah Ahan but was sacked towards the end of the year following the club’s inconsistent run.

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