Defending champions APR have vowed to leave no stone unturned in a bid to retain their Cecafa/Kagame Club championship crown.

The two-week tournament gets underway tomorrow in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania but the champions started their title defence on Sunday against the hosts Yanga Africans.

APR’s Dutch coach Rene Feller told Times Sport on Wednesday before the team’s departure to Tanzania that he goes to Dar es Salaam with only one thing on his mind and that is to retain the regional championship.

"We have done everything to ensure that we hang on to the title we won last year in Kigali.

"I have a young side which is hungry for success and I hope they will overcome any challenge.

"I am not a stranger to East African football, having worked in Eritrea for some time before coming here (to APR), so I know what to expect,” Feller stated.

Asked to comment about his team’s opening fixture against the home team, Yanga on Sunday, the Dutchman said, "We have gone through enough preparation for this tournament and I believe we can defend our title.”

"Yanga is a good side and they’re playing at home but I have faith in my own team. I don’t have any problem with the players; they are in good shape and ready to defend their title.

APR will be banking on Rwandan internationals like Jean Claude Ndoli, Saddou Boubakary, Mbuyu Twite, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Elias Ntaganda and striker Abbas Rassou, who was re-signed from Morocco’s Olympic Khouribga early this week for success.

Feller has several other international players to look including Burundian internationals Karim Nizigiyimana and Fuadi Ndayisenga, Eritrea national team captain Berhane Aregay and Harambee Stars’ winger Moses Odhiambo.

"We are going to Tanzania to bring back the trophy; everybody should support and wait for the title,” midfielder Mugiraneza said on Wednesday.

APR is in Group C along with Young Africans and Miembeni (Zanzibar).

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