APR rallies back to hold Club Africain

Saturday

Caf Champions League

APR 2-2 Club Africain
Casablanca 10-1 Tourbillon

Caf Confederation Cup
AC Leopards  1-1  Etincelles

Local league champions APR Fc rallied from behind twice to hold Club African of Tunisia to a 2-2 draw in the Orange CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg match played yesterday at Amahoro stadium.

The visitors were ahead after 16 minutes through Khaled Melliti thunderous free kick just outside the box, which APR goalkeeper, who started was favored to start instead first choice Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, rooted on his goal line as the ball flew into the top corner.

The goal appeared to wake up the home team, who started the game in a sluggish fashion, giving possession cheaply and failing to put together a string of purposeful passes.

Former Kiyovu and Atraco left back, Donatien Tuyisenge put the military side back on the level terms with a vicious shot from 40-yard. The goal, which was very similar to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Holland vs Uruguay, left goalie Adel Nefzi with no chance whatsoever.

But just two minutes later, Hamza Messadi benefitted from a miscommunication in APR defence to slot in the second goal for the Tunisians, who will now be boosted with a two away goals ahead of the return leg in two weeks time.

After recess, the military side, buoyed on by the huge home support, return stronger and they could have been reward with another goal had Adel Nefzi not been in inspired form.

The Club Africain shot stopper, denied Jean Claude Iranzi, Haruna Niyonzima, Victor Nyirenda, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza and susbtitute Johnson Bagoole with fine saves to maintain his team’s advantage.

As the game progressed and APR looking the more likely side to score, Angolan referee awarded the home the side a penalty after a Club Africain player handled the ball in the forbidden area.

Jean Baptist Mugiraneza made no mistake as he sent Adel Nefzi the opposite direction to level the score at 2-2. The Rwandan international midfielder later dedicated the goal his girlfriend, who passed away recently.

Ends