We cracked under pressure, says Police head coach

LACK of experience to handle pressure highlights Police’s failure to win their first ever Primus league title in their eleven years of existence.Serbian head coach Goran Kopunovic said on Tuesday that his side failed to handle internal and external pressure in a bid to beat Mukura to boost their chances of winning the league.“There was too much pressure on my players and this was all due to lack of experience. Most of the players could not handle pressure at this level and at the moment when we needed cooler heads,” he admitted.The coach, however, lauded his players for giving a good fight especially despite failing to convert a few chances that came their way.“We played well and my players could easily have won this match but that lapse in concentration at the back in the first half really cost us,” the Serbian tactician said.He stressed that he is going to focus on winning their last game against Isonga so as to finish the season in second position“It is terrible missing out on winning the league title but we will pick ourselves up to return back in hunt for the title next season,” added Kopunovic.Kagere’s future Team captain Meddie Kagere has refused to confirm whether he will sign a new deal with the club after the Law and Order enforcers squandered the chance of winning their maiden league title.The 25-year old striker and his team mates looked heartbroken on Tuesday evening on seeing their chances of lifting the Primus league title evaporate through the window following the 1-0 defeat against Mukura, which effectively handed the league title to rivals and defending champions APR FC.In an exclusive interview with Times Sport after match, Kagere said he will make a decision after the conclusion of the Peace Cup tournament, but also blamed his team’s lack of experience and fatigue for collapse.“I cannot say at the moment whether I will stay with Police or move on. There is still one league match to play and the Peace Cup, so I have to wait before making a final decision,” noted the Amavubi Stars forward.The striker, who has scored 12 goals this season, a feat only bettered by APR’s Oliver Karekezi (14), says Police was undone by an inexperienced squad and tired legs.And the Amavubi forward agrees with football pundits that this year’s league has been the most competitive and predicts Police to challenge again for title next season.Thirteen times champions, APR are set to be crowned in a ceremony on Friday at Stade de Kigali – the scheduled venue for the final game of the season – between Police and Isonga.As Police are busy counting the cost of failing to handle the pressure that comes with the challenge, rivals APR FC won their 13th Primus League title in 17 years.The defeat saw Mukura leapfrogging Police by two points to claim the second position – at least for 48 hours – with the former title contenders relegated to the third place, on 47 points.If APR goes on to win the MTN Peace Cup in July, and the team that finishes second in the league will represent Rwanda in the CAF Confederations Cup next year. APR will be in the CAF Champions League.The 2012-13 Primus League season will be comprised of 14 teams following recent promotion of AS Muhanga and Musanze FC.

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We cracked under pressure, says Police head coach