APR will play attacking football - Mashami

Today APR vs Liga Desportiva de Maputo 3:30pm LLB Academic vs Kabuscorp Azam vs Al Merrikh Recreativo do Libolo vs Sanga Balende 4pm Mangasport vs Bantu 4:30pm APR interim coach Vincent Mashami says the army side will play an attacking game in today’s Orange Champions League preliminary round return leg clash against Liga Desportiva de Maputo at Amahoro stadium, kickoff at 3:30pm. The national league champions held their Mozambican counterparts to a goalless draw in the first leg a fortnight ago in Maputo. APR need to win to progress to the first round where they will face former champions Al Ahly of Egypt. Mashami told Saturday Sport that, “The only way we can win the game obviously is to score so we shall play attacking football to look for goals. We need to create chances and of course we also need to defend well so that we do not concede at home.” With an entirely fit squad except for the injured midfielder Djamal Mwiseneza, Mashami has a wealth of experienced and ambitious youthful players at his display and will be expecting his team to deliver as instructed. Creative midfielder Jean Claude Iranzi, who was involved in all four goals as APR thrashed local rivals Rayon Sports 4-0 in the national league last Sunday, is expected to bring the same energy and inspiration into today’s must-win encounter. Meanwhile, Liga Desportiva de Maputo’s assistant coach Dawood Rasaaq said, “The game will not be easy because we are playing a team that has a lot of experience in the Caf Champions League and is also playing at home but we came here to get a win. The pitch (Amahoro stadium) is good because it is not artificial so it is good for us.” The Mozambican champions have included midfielder Neymar Canhemba, Fernando Cesar (wing), Hermenegildo Mutambe (central defender) and Imo Pilal (striker) who did not feature in the first leg. The winner between the two sides will face record eight-time Caf Champions League champions Al Ahly of Egypt in the first round.