Optimistic Andreas praises APR youngsters despite loss

AL FASHER. APR FC head coach Andreas Spier has praised his players despite losing the 2013 Cecafa Kagame Cup title to Burundian champions Vital’O on Monday in North Darfur.Andreas took time to console the players, who exhibited determination and hard work in the exciting final in which the gods failed to smile for the three-time winners, who have not won the regional club title on a foreign soil for a fourth time despite reaching the final.The German-born tactician regretted the missed chances in the game but at the same time took pride in how his youthful team demonstrated courage.“I cannot complain because if there is ever a way to lose, it is the way we lost today [Monday]. Despite having injuries and suspensions of key players, the available players gave everything and I am proud of them. We had our chances, we worked hard but at the end of the day, you can’t win all the time, and if you lose, you lose with pride and dignity like we did,” he told Times Sport after the match.He added, “The result is not what we wished for and we are disappointed for not achieving our target of winning this tournament away from home for the fist time.” In a thinly veiled blame game, Spier attributed the injury of experienced center back and stand-in captain Ismail Nshutiyamagara which led to the two goals in a space of three minutes. “We have to appreciate these youngsters, they have given everything but it was just not good enough to win us the competition. There are 10-12 players in this team, who have graduated from the junior age, so it’s a good experience for them to learn from this defeat and I think this loss will make them stronger for the future,” stated Spier.Vital’O coach Gilbert ‘Yaounde’ Kanyankole was a delighted man after writing a new history in Burundian football books by being the first Rwandan tactician to guide them to their first Cecafa Cup.“We are very happy. I had dreamt of such a thing in my life and thank God that we have finally achieved it,” noted the former Rayon Sports coach.He added, “I have to thank my players, who stood by my tactical approach. I knew APR very well and the absence of Jean Baptist Mugiraneza, who is good at organising the midfield, also helped us a lot because it’s from the midfield that we attained this victory.” Top scorer Tambwe Amissi broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a bullet header past goalkeeper Jean-Claude Ndoli. The striker claimed the golden boot with six goals.Midfielder Christian Mbirizi doubled the lead with another header off D’amour Nkurunziza’s corner kick.APR and Rayon Sports are expected to arrive in Kigali on Thursday and Friday respectively.