APR face tough task in Tanzania, admits coach

Qualification 1st round Saturday: First leg APR FC 1-2 YangaAl Ahli Tripoli 1 – 0 Al Hilal OmdurmanZESCO United 4 - 1 Horoya APR FC head coach Nizar Khanfir has promised to correct the mistakes that led to Saturday’s home loss to visitors Yanga ahead of the return leg of the CAF Champions League first qualification round in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this coming weekend. The Rwandan league champions lost 2-1 on Saturday at Amahoro national stadium, a result that left the army side on the verge of yet another early exit from Africa’s most prestigious club competition. And, after the game, Khanfir, who only signed a six-month contract last week, admitted, “Honestly, it is a difficult task to deal with, we have an uphill battle in the return leg away from home, but we still have a chance. I hope the goal we scored here can turn out to be important in the return leg”. ”We’re obviously disappointed to lose today (Saturday), but we need keep focus and believe that we can turn the tie around in Tanzania. We must go into the next game with a positive mindset and confidence,” he stated. The Tunisian tactician, who was taking charge of his first game as APR coach, added, “We’ll need total focus and give ourselves a chance and (hopefully) score more than one goal. We have played against a strong team, but in the return leg, we must do better than we have done here today.” Khanfir explained that his side will be forced to play an open game, because anything less than a straight win, will not be enough to see APR through to the second round. Full-back Juma Abdul gave Yanga the lead in the 20th minute with a long range free kick from well over 30 yards before Thaban Kamusoko made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute, while Patrick Sibomana’s late goal (90+2 minute), reduced the deficit for the home side. The second leg will be played next weekend at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam with the winner of this tie over the two legs facing Egyptian giants Al Ahly or Angola’s Recreativo do Libolo in the second round. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

APR face tough task in Tanzania, admits coach