APR FC recorded a goalless draw with Egyptian side Pyramids FC in a CAF Champions League second round first leg encounter held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, September 17.
The Rwandan champions put the ‘underdog’ tag aside and outplayed the Egyptians despite failing to find the back of the net to take qualification for the group stages in safe hands.
Times Sport takes a look at five key things that shaped the game.
Is Froger finally getting his tactics right?
The French veteran gaffer has been struggling to make his team selection and tactics tick
since he took charge as club head coach but he finally got his acts together against Pyramids.
He played Victor Mbaoma on a central role as he left the Nigerian striker on his own.
Froger decided to pack the midfield which allowed the free flowing of the game and Mbaoma was superb with his hold up play and was able to drag out the Pyramids back four.
APR were just unlucky as they had a goal ruled for offside and another which didn’t cross the goal line but they at least dominated the game, something that could boost their confidence to leave everything on the pitch and let their performance decide who comes out on top in the second leg in Egypt.
ALSO READ: APR struggle at home in barren draw with Pyramids
Bindjeme brought stability to APR defense
Froger’s decision to drop Prince Buregeya on the bench and instead introduce new signing Salomon Banga Bindjeme to partner with Yunusu Nshimiyimana in defense was a masterstroke by the French coach and his technical bench.
Buregeya’s partnership with Nshimiyimana has been disastrous and benching the former for the Cameroonian to start paid dividends.
There was no panic at the back as they defended gallantly. The Bindjeme-Nshimiyimana partnership should be maintained for now until Clement Niyigena fully recovers from injury.
Shaiboub shows class in midfield again
The Sudanese midfielder can absolutely walk into the first eleven of any club on the African continent and command a regular starting berth.
He has by far been APR's best signing this season and he showed his real quality against Pyramids FC.
Shaiboub dominated the North Africans in midfield and was among APR’s top performing players on the day.
Pyramids missed Ramadan Sobhi
Pyramids FC struggled in the offensive area of the game without star forward Ramadan Sobhi with the Egyptian star reportedly injured and did not make the trip to Kigali for the encounter.
The visitors lacked a skillful player who could run at the APR back four and also give that sublime pass to striker Fiston Kalala Mayele who was out of pace on Sunday.
Sobhi could have been decisive in Kigali and the team must play he returns fit in time to play the second leg.
It is not over yet for APR
APR undoubtedly played their best game this season so far against Pyramids FC.
Although they were not able to score, the signs were positive as they totally dominated the Northern Africans. If APR works on their finishing and put up a similar display in Cairo, they can eliminate Pyramids FC.