APR optimistic ahead of return leg against Mbabane Swallows

APR head coach Emmanuel Rubona has urged his team to put in their best, if they are to beat Swaziland side Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Confederation Cup first round second leg in Kigali at Amahoro Stadium. The 15 national league champions lost the first leg against Mbabane Swallows on Sunday 1-0, thanks to the lone goal of Wilson Ndzinisa Sabelo in the 25th minute. Both sides will meet again in two weeks, and the winner will qualify for the next round. Rubona is confident that his side can still proceed to the next round of CAF Champions league. “Mbabane is a strong team, but we must win at home and we will do all we can to score more goals. We tried to create chances in first leg but we failed to find the back of the net. We have two weeks to prepare for the return game and we will be at our best,” Rubona said. Meanwhile the Mbabane Swallows coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati believes his side is capable of scoring more goals in Kigali. “We made some mistakes, but in the second leg we will be much better. APR is a big team, but we will look for a win in the second leg. We still have to finish our job,” he said. APR has represented Rwanda in the Champions League thirteen times since their inaugural appearance in 1997 with their best performance being a third round finish in the 2004 season. in 2004, under the guidance of the late captain Jean Marie Ntagwabira, the military side eliminated Zamalek, APR lost 3-2 in the first leg before thrashing Zamalek 4-1 in second leg at Amahoro stadium. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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APR optimistic ahead of return leg against Mbabane Swallows