APR will ‘fight until the end’ for title defence, says Petrovic
Monday, November 05, 2018
Forward Muhadjiri Hakizimana (#10) runs towards his APR teammates to celebrate his opening goal against Marines at Umuganda Stadium on Saturday. Courtesy.

Sunday

Rayon         3-0    Gicumbi

Bugesera    1-1    Sunrise 

Saturday

Kiyovu                      0-1     Mukura

Marines     0-2     APR

AS Kigali   0-2     Etincelles

Friday

Musanze    2-1     Espoir

Amagaju    1-2      Police

Kirehe        2-2      AS Muhanga

Ljubomir Petrovic has vowed APR will keep fighting until the end of the race as he seeks to guide the military side to a record-extending 18th Azam Rwanda Premier League title.

APR will look to stretch their winning streak to five games when they play away to Etincelles on Tuesday after easing past Marines FC 2-0 on Saturday.

Player of the Year Muhadjiri Hakizimana opened the scoring in the 25th minute before youngster Lague Byiringiro doubled the lead seven minutes later to inspire the black and white outfit to their fourth consecutive win in the new season.

"As far as football is concerned, the willingness to work and and humility is what makes champions, and that is exactly what I am seeing in my players  at the moment. Our aim is to continue with the same spirit until the end of the season,” said APR coach, Petrovic.

The Serbian tactician praised his side for their run in league so far.

He further admitted that, "There is no doubt at some point it will be hard to keep the momentum, especially when the Peace Cup and Caf Champions League start.”

The defending champions lead the table standings with 12 points, level on points with Mukura Victory Sports.

Who will stop Mukura?

Mukura’s stunning start to the season continued with a shock 1-0 victory over SC Kiyovu at Mumena Stadium in Nyamirambo on Saturday.

Forward Bertrand Irakunda netted the lone goal in the 12th minute.

However, the black and yellow outfit’s impressive run will be put to test once more on Tuesday when they host last season’s league first runners-up AS Kigali at Huye Stadium.

Following the late appointment of Djuma Masudi Irambona as their head coach, the City of Kigali-sponsored side have only managed three points in their first four league games this season.

Along with APR, Mukura are the only side yet to drop points this season. Both sides have collected a maximum 12 points, but the former lead courtesy of a better goal difference (8) compared to Mukura’s 4.

APR and Mukura will represent the country in continental football next year, with the former playing in the CAF Champions League and the latter in CAF Confederation Cup.

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