Put local rivalry aside, APR Chief tells fans

The chairman of APR Football Club, Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame has called on local football fans to forget their clubs’ local rivalry and rally behind the military side on Saturday as they host Vital’O of Burundi in Caf Champions league. Speaking to Time Sport, Gen. Kagame urged fans to provide support to APR as its flying Rwanda’s flag.“We are requesting fans to turn out in huge numbers during the match to encourage and give support to the boys” The call is an attempt to avoid any act of demoralising the home side as fans have, in the past, extended their domestic rivalry into international matches.It has not happened once or twice when home teams are booed by rival local fans.APR, third on the Primus League table with 32 points, in 17 matches, are eager to record a home victory.Last year, APR, under coach Ernie Brandts, managed to reach the second round of the Orange Champions League before falling to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel on 3-2 on goal aggregate.In the first round, APR beat Kenya’s Tusker 1-0 on aggregate. The two teams settled for a barren draw in Nairobi but the military side scored in the second leg in Kigali.If they qualify to the next round, APR will come up against Rangers of Nigeria or SC Do Principe of Sao Tome and Principe.The Military’s side head coach has vowed that his team will end the day on a high come Saturday. Eric Nshimiyimana said APR will be looking for a first leg win in Kigali.“We will be looking to win our home game so that we can go in Burundi with an advantage; it’s always good to win your home games” “I know Vital’o is a very good side, but we will be looking for a win; if we win this first match it will help us do well in return leg; we have been doing well in the league so far, so I hope we will replicate our domestic form against Vital’O”.“To win at home is something I am looking forward to, I know it is very difficult but we are ready, if we do that, then, we will see what will happen in the second leg, but we will go there with a strong mentality if we get what we want in the first leg.”

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Put local rivalry aside, APR Chief tells fans