APR FC lost the 2024 Rwanda Super Cup for the third time in three years as they were defeated by Police FC at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, August 10. The two teams played out to a goalless draw in regular time, forcing the game into spot-kicks which ended 6-5 in Police FC’s favour. From coaches’ tactical formations, to the quality of the players, Times Sport presents you key things we learned from the game. 1. APR should deal with its spot-kicks weaknesses One of the things that should be food for thought for APR is how to do better in penalty shootouts before they face Azam FC in the CAF Champions League qualifiers. The 2023/2024 league champions have lost two major games in the span of a month through penalty shootouts. They lost 7-6 to Zambian outfit Red Arrows in the final of the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup, before they were beaten 6-5 by Police on Saturday. The club’s technical bench should think about how to give the players better training and skills in spot kicks so that they can do better. 2. Yakubu has brought stability to Police’s defense During the 2023/24 season, one of the major problems for Police FC was in the heart of their defence. The Super Cup game gave an impression that the problem has been solved after the signing of strong Ghanaian centre back Issah Yakubu who joined Police FC from Malian giants Stade Malien. The aggressive centre back kept Victor Mbaoma in check during the match, and gave fans a taste of what he can do when the new season gets underway. 3. Niyigena is a whole package APR’s central defender Clement Niyigena's defensive abilities have never been in doubt as he has shown in the Primus National League over the past two seasons that he is the best in the league. Fresh from winning the best player award in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, Niyigena put up another master class where he was the best player for APR during the duel with Police FC. He defended gallantly, passed the ball well and he was able to put the brakes on Elijah Ani who would have been very dangerous for the army side. 4. Novic should change his formation to suit Mbaoma APR’s new head coach Darko Novic seems to play a system that does not favour the team’s main striker Victor Mbaoma, as he deploys him upfront without a real creative player around him. The Serbian tactician chooses to select defensive minded players like Seidu Yussif Dauda, Jean Bosco Ruboneka and Ramadhan Niyibizi in the midfield. With such players, creativity gets lower and Mbaoma may not get the goal scoring chances he needs. 5. Nsabimana's experience is helping Police Experienced midfielder Eric Nsabimana nick-named Zidane had a great game against APR FC in the Super Cup. There was no definite position for Nsabimana on the field as he commuted between left back and central midfield. He was very solid as he defended well, winning ball possession, and instigating many attacks. In Nsabimana, Police have a skipper who also serves as a big inspiration to his colleagues.
