Champions League: Mbaoma insists APR still stand a chance
Monday, September 18, 2023
APR FC players before the first leg match against Pyramids at Kigali Pele stadium. Courtesy

APR FC striker Victor Mbaoma Chukweumeka is optimistic his side can still get the result they need against Pyramids of Egypt to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages.

The Rwandan champions struggled against Pyramids as the pair played out a goalless draw in the first leg at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday.

With the result, some have already written off the military side going into the second leg slated for September 29 in Cairo, but Mbaoma insists they can correct their mistakes and see off the Egyptians.

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"Honestly, it is a difficult task, we have an uphill battle in the return leg away from home in Egypt, but we still have a chance. I hope we can score goals over there and turn things around. We must go into the return leg with a positive mindset and confidence,” Mbaoma said.

The Rwandan military side’s new signing added, "we’ll need total focus. We played against a strong team, but in the return leg, we must do better.”

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APR showed some impressive performance despite failing to capitalise on their chances against Pyramids.

Club coach Thierry Froger said he will not go to Egypt to defend but attack.

"We have to be aggressive if we want to stay in the competition; we have to build up our confidence. We don’t want to be eliminated early,” he added.

APR have never reached the group stages of Africa’s premier football club competition.

They’ve had a bad record against Northern African teams who have for years been a nightmare for the club in the CAF Champions League. Out of the last ten meetings with Northern African clubs, APR only won twice. In most cases, they have endured heavy defeats at the hands of North African opponents.

APR’s best campaign in Africa's premier club competition was during the 2004 season when they reached the third round under the stewardship of the late Jean Marie Ntagwabira.