APR head coach Ben Moussa has confirmed that skipper Djabel Manishimwe and defender Prince Buregeya will not be part of the club’s trip to Muhanga ahead of their league clash against cross city rivals Kiyovu on Saturday, January 28.

The duo missed APR’s 1-0 narrow victory over Mukura on Sunday through injuries that kept them on the sidelines during the past three weeks.

Moussa explained that Manishimwe has been out of action since December last year when the midfielder picked up an ankle injury during the club’s 1-1 draw against Etincelles in Rubavu.

"Hopefully he is coming back very soon and I think next week he will be ready to start training with others," he said.

"Buregeya is also struggling with a groin injury but will start training with the others on Tuesday," he added.

As a result, the duo could miss at least APR’s two more games including Saturday’s crucial test against Kiyovu at Muhanga Stadium.

Their absence is a huge blow for the military side who face an uphill task to beat the Green Baggies to keep their title hopes alive and increase pressure on table leaders AS Kigali who are showing no signs of stopping in race to winning their first ever league title.

APR and Kiyovu sit second and third respectively on the league table with 31 points apiece, two points behind leaders AS Kigali.