Sunrise FC head coach Jackson Mayanja says APR were let off the hook as his side missed glorious chances during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Kigali Pele Stadium.
The Nyagatare-based club dominated APR. especially in the second half, but their attack comprising the likes of Yafesi Mubiru and Brian Ssali were not clinical in front of the post and it not only cost his team but the defeat also the club’s seven-game unbeaten run to an end.
The Ugandan tactician pointed out that it would have been a different story if his attackers had been vibrant.
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"I don't have much to say, we are trying to do what we are supposed to do and I think we started it right from the first half. Unfortunately, we missed a couple of chances which I really feel so bad, those would have been the turning point of the game,” Mayanja told journalists in a post-match interview.
"We missed two crucial goals from Yafesi... the goalkeeper first gifted him one, then he got another but he used a bad scoring technique and he missed the opportunities. But, overall, I think the game was good," he further claimed.
Notwithstanding, Mayanja praised his team, especially the young players, for showing a great display against APR FC.
"The boys did what I prepared them to do. It is not easy to play against the champions away. My players did very well. We look forward to our next game," he said.
Mayanja has started to build his game around young players so they can grow in his philosophy.
Against APR FC, he introduced four young players in his squad. The coach said that he believes in their capabilities and he sees potential in the Rwandan prospects to become great football products of the nation in the near future.
"I am a professional coach, I believe in young players, I have to build young players not just for the club but also for Amavubi,” he said.
"We have as many as five young players. I am happy with my boys. I am trying to put confidence in my boys that everyone can play as long as the tactical understanding is there and they know what they are doing. The problem is to put on a young man and he doesn't know what he is playing. He will get lost.”
"Eric Irihamye, Jean Claude Rukundo are gold for Rwanda. I am encouraging other coaches here in Rwanda to use young players. I have been U20 head coach in Uganda before so I believe in young players," he added.
Mayanja took charge of Sunrise FC in November 2023 following the sacking of Hassan Muhire in October 2023.
Under Mayanja’s tenure, Sunrise has won five, drawn four and lost three from 12 outings.