APR are league champions!

Today at Amahoro stadium APR vs Isonga, 3:30pm APR have secured their 15th record league title ahead of their tie against Isonga this afternoon at Amahoro stadium where they will be crowned champions. The table leaders, who have 51 points from 23 games, will receive their trophy this afternoon following AS Kigali’s 1-1 draw with Gicumbi yesterday evening at the Ferwafa Ground which ensured the former have 46 points from 25 games with one game to the end of the season. Before yesterday’s tie, APR needed just a point to retain the league but Eric Nshimiyimana’s side failed to bag maximum points against Gicumbi to keep pressure on his former side. Despite facing the bottom-placed side on the table standings, the champions want to finish the job in pure style and bliss, by winning emphatically to showcase the dominance they have displayed all season long. APR captain Ismael Nshutiyamagara told Times Sport that, “Our target is to win this game and lift the trophy in style. In fact we want to win all our remaining games because that is what champions do, win games.” Nshutiyamagara who has won six league titles, six Peace Cups and two Cecafa Kagame Cup trophies in the last seven years at the army side is keen on adding another title to his trophy cabinet. “We are going to go all out against Isonga and we shall give them respect even though they are the last on the table standings. We have to be disciplined and make sure that we execute the game strategy,” explained Nshutiyamagara commonly known as ‘Kodo’. Nshutiyamagara, who mans the APR central defense alongside Emery Bayisenge, will be hoping his defensive partners including left back Albert Ngabonziza and Michel Rusheshangoga and goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera do not concede in the remaining games. APR has conceded the least goals this season – 13 and the quartet will be looking to finish the season on a high but against Isonga, the reigning champions will be up against a side that has nothing to lose since they have been relegated to the second division. Isonga head coach Innocent Seninga revealed that, “We are going to treat this game like all our games in the second round. We want to win and we shall be doing everything to bag maximum points. However, we also want our players to showcase their talent and possibly get some clubs to sign them so they will definitely be at their best.” Nshutiyamagara is aware of this ambition and said, “We know that Isonga will be out to prove a point but we shall be eyeing victory. That is our main target.” APR has won 15 league titles, eight Peace Cups and three Cecafa Kagame Cup titles in their 22 year history since inception in 1993. The army side will represent Rwanda in the 2016 Caf Champions League. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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APR are league champions!