Rwandan champions APR FC welcome Tunisian giants US Monastir to the Huye Sports Stadium, on September 10. It will be in the first leg of the preliminary round of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League qualifiers.
Teams from North Africa have always prevailed in the CAF Champions League over the years and are considered a force to reckon with in CAF’s premier club competition. During the 2021/2022 season, APR failed to go beyond the second qualifying stage of the Champions League. They dropped down to the Confederation Cup in which they succumbed to eventual winners RS Berkane in the final preliminary round.
Times Sport takes a look at four factors which could decide the first leg encounter between APR FC and US Monastir.
Home support
In such competitions, home support really counts. In some cases, it even puts fear in the opponent.
Though football is played on the pitch, things happening at the stadium go a long way in determining results. Home fans’ singing and chanting throughout matches can let opposing teams lose concentration. APR fans and all football fans in general must be at Huye stadium and support the army club as it hopes to replicate what it did two decades ago, by getting to the semi finals of an African club competition.
Tactical acumen of both coaches
US Monastir appointed Serbian tactician Darko Novic as their new head coach just two months ago. APR FC have been with Moroccan gaffer Adil Mohammed for three years. Novic lasted just 74 days in his previous job at Setif FC. He was fired after handling 13 games, winning six, drawing two and losing five.
Mohammed was very consistent with APR in the domestic league; winning three titles in a row, though he is yet to make any impact in Africa. Both coaches are fond of the 4-3-3 formation and it is likely that the one who is able to diversify can win the day.
Attacking line
APR FC could go with a front three of Yannick Bizimana, Yves Mugunga and Lague Byiringiro whereas their opponent may also rely on Abdelhakim, Amokrane, Zied Aloui and Aziz Harabi.
US Monastir is a free scoring team. They can bang in goals on any day and APR defenders must be watchful. On the other hand, APR attackers must push more into the danger zone of US Monastir since from last season, their defence has not been stable. Any of the teams which utilizes the chances they create will ultimately carry the day.
Weather conditions
North African clubs have always struggled a lot when playing in high temperatures when meeting teams from other parts of Africa. They usually find it difficult playing against teams in hot conditions and, APR could have an advantage especially if the game is played in the afternoon and the weather changes.
All the North African teams use weather conditions to their advantage in home games. They always play against countries from other parts of Africa at night when the weather is almost at freezing point. They use that to unsettle teams.