APR eye to upset El Hodoud

Caf Confederation Cup Return leg fixtures Hodoud v APR (0-0) Ahly Benghazi v C.S. Sfaxien (1-4) Mamelodi Sundowns v ASV Phoenix (3-0) ASV Club v Malanthi Chiefs (3-1) Gafsa v MAS Fes (1-1) APR will be seeking to cause a major upset to confirm their place in the 1/8 round of this year’s Caf Confederation Cup when they face Egyptian side Haras El Hodoud this evening in Alexandria. The record nine-time national league winners only managed a 0-0 home draw in the first leg two weeks ago and an upset win in Alexandria will seem them reach the next round. APR players will be hoping to give their outgoing Dutch coach Rene Feller a befitting farewell by avoiding defeat. Feller, who turned down the chance of a contract extension on health grounds was bestowed a Life Membership for his contribution to the club and qualification to the next round will further cement his place among the club’s all-time personalities. His successor Erik Paske, who has been his assistant, is making his debut as the club new head coach. Before the team’s departure to Egypt, he said, “Our main target will be to attack them right from the first whistle.” “We’re not going to Egypt lose, we want to win. We will squeeze them (El Hodoud) to the very last whistle,” Paske said. However, the inexperienced Dutchman could find difficulty in his search for the goals as he’s without his key strikers, Labama Bokota and Ndjoli Bokungu. Bokungu is suspended for today’s leg after accumulating two yellow cards while Bokota was stayed back in Kigali still recovering from an ankle injury. Elias Uzamukunda and Kabange Twite will replace the duo to lead APR’s hunt for crucial away goals upfront. Hodoud, Egyptian Cup winners, made their continental debut in the 2008 and were eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup. APR reached the first round after a convincing 6-0 goal aggregate over Kenya’s Gor Mahia while Hodoud got a bye. Ends