Orange Champions League

1st leg-Kigali

APR 2-2 Club Africain

2nd leg-March 4

Club Africain vs APR

APR winger Haruna Niyonzima has challenged his teammates to go for the kill when they play Tunisian champions Club Africain in the second leg of the Orange Champions League this Friday.

The army side has a massive task on their hands following a 2-all draw in the first leg and Niyonzima, who is one of the most experienced players in the side, believes the best way to approach the game is to attack.

"Our defending in the first leg was shaky and we need to be more solid defensively in Tunisia but sometimes, the best way to defend is to attack,” Niyonzima said.

"We all know that Club Africain have the upper hand going into the second leg but it’s up to us to turn things round.”
Niyonzima reckons that it is important for his teammates to have the belief of winning away.

"It is a huge match for us and we need to have the belief that we can win in their backyard,” the Amavubi captain added.

The national league champions are looking to repeat last year’s feat when they defeated Angolan side Recreativo de Libolo 1-0 in Luanda after drawing 2-2 in Kigali.

APR coach Ernie Brandts complemented Niyonzima saying; "We have to score and make sure we don’t concede,” the 55-year-old said.

While the army side has swept trophies on the local scene, they have been criticized for failing to transform that form on the continental stage.

The team’s best effort in the competition dates back in 2004 when they reached the third round under the stewardship of Jean Marie Ntagwabira, now coach of Primus League side SC Kiyovu.

Over the years, local clubs have struggled against North African opposition but Brandts still has something to smile about following the return of four key players in Albert Ngabo, Didier Logba, Jean Claude Ndoli and Abbas Rassou.
APR jets out tomorrow afternoon.

APR’s probable squad:

Jean-Claude Ndoli, Tchimanga Mutamba, Donatien Tuyizere, Albert Ngabo, Elvis Kafoteka, Mbuyu Twite(C), Kabange Twite, Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Abbas Rassou and Victor Nyirenda.

Ends