Rwandan champions APR FC will be hoping to cause a major upset against Egyptian side Pyramids FC when the two sides lock horns at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, September 17, in a CAF Champions League second round first leg encounter.
The army side is regarded as underdogs, despite playing at home, considering the status of Pyramids FC in CAF competitions in recent years and the stars that the club has at their disposal.
While Pyramids FC were exempted from the first qualifying round, APR labored against Somalian minnows Gaadiidka FC before going through on a 3-1 aggregate.
North African teams have been the bogey side of APR in recent years where, out of their last ten encounters with them, APR have managed just two wins which were against Zamalek in 2004 and US Monastir during the 2022/23 season.
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APR have brought back their policy of using foreign players and the June 2023 transfer window left 10 expatriate players signed with an objective to at least reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
So far, aside Sudanese star central midfielder Sharaf Shaiboub who has been convincing, the rest are yet to settle in the club and have not quite adapted well to the tactics of new coach Thierry Froger.
Pyramids FC have also been on fire. They thrashed Al Ahly 3-0 despite finishing second in the league.
They have also beefed their attack by splashing $1 Million to get Fiston Kalala Mayele from Young Africans SC. The DR Congo international scored 11 goals which were crucial as Yanga reached their first ever CAF Confederation Cup final which they lost to USM Alger.
Coach Jaime Pacheco is spoilt for choice, he has a formidable attacking line of Ramadan Sobhi, Mayele and Karim El Tayeb all of whom can cause havoc upront anytime.
APR defense Prince Buregeya, Yunusu Nshimiyimana, Christian Ishimwe and FitinaOmborenga have a great task to deliver in Sunday’s clash. They must be at their best to stop a fearsome Pyramids FC attack.
On paper, it looks a very difficult encounter for APR but football defies logic. If they can able to create chances and utilize them. They could get the need score line.