APR rules out CAF build-ups

Champions League First Round 1st leg APR v Zamalek (Feb 15-17) 2nd leg Zamalek v APR (Feb 29- 2 March) APR has ruled out any build up game ahead of its MTN/CAF Champions league clash with Zamalek FC of Egypt next month. The club’s manager Capt. Eric Ntazinda cited the national league’s tight schedule as the sole reason. The league schedule is very tight and we don’t see ourselves engaging in any build-up game unless Ferwafa (Rwanda Football Federation) adjusts the fixtures, Ntazinda said. The league reigning champions will line up a young-star studded squad against Zamalek, one of Africa’s top clubs. APR will head into the tie with good memories back in 2004 when the two clubs first met. Under their former coach, Jean Marie Ntagwabira, APR knocked out the five-time African champions following a 6-4 goal aggregate in the second round. Having lost 2-3 in Cairo, APR led by Jimmy Mulisa; Rwanda’s Belgium based midfielder produced a spectacular performance in their back yard (Amahoro stadium) to trounce Zamalek 4-1. However, from this point, the military side’s run was short lived. APR who had lined up an experienced squad (Mark Sirengo from Kenya, Hamdun Makoye from Tanzania, Manfred Kizito, James Odoch and Francis Gonzaga) failed to get to the quarter-finals after being knocked out by Ivory Coast’s Africa Sports on penalties (4-5). Last year, APR suffered a brutal exit from the championship (which round) after a controversial clash with Togo’s Maranatha. The winner between APR and Zamalek will face the winner between Tonnere FC and Africa Sports in the second round.Ends

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APR rules out CAF build-ups