APR talisman Victor Mbaoma Chukwuemeka has said the 2023/24 Primus National League and the golden boot award are on his radar in his debut season at the club. The Nigerian striker was the hero on Friday, October 13, as his stoppage time winner earned APR an important victory over stubborn Mukura VS at Kigali Pele Stadium. His goal against the Huye-based side means he has now scored in three games in a row in the league. He is now focused on scoring more goals for his club to increase the chances of winning the title and the top scorer’s gong. ALSO READ: Mbaoma breaks Mukura's heart with last-minute goal “I want to score for the team. The only important thing is that when you are down you should not give up and you should try to get up again,” Mbaoma said after his winner against Mukura. Mbaoma, 26, turned into a cult hero at the army side following his goal-scoring prowess thanks to which he is regarded among the most feared strikers in the Primus National League so far this season. Born on Oct 20, 1996, the highly-rated striker, started his Professional Football career with Nigerian-based side Remo Stars FC. He played for the club in Nigeria Professional Football League where he blossomed into a household name before leaving for Uyo-based side Akwa United in 2017. He further played for a number of teams including FC Qizilqum Zarafshon in Uzbekistan, MC Alger from Algeria and Enyimba from Nigeria. He was unveiled as APR FC new player in July where he signed a two-year contract which runs until June 2025. The Nigerian striker has since established himself as a key player for head coach Thierry Froger under whom he has been in fine form where he scored seven goals so far this season including a hat trick against Marines FC in the pre-season friendly. He was also on target in the CAF Champions League when he scored a consolation goal as APR fell to a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Pyramids in Cairo Egypt. After APR elimination in the continental premier club football competition, Mbaoma is now poised win the win the league title and an individual accolade as the top scorer this season. I hope to score more goals and my target to finish the season with at least 30 goals. The whole team is putting in a great performance which would be a great way to end. That would be another reason to celebrate together, he said. Mbaoma now has three league goals to his name and, despite trailing in form Musanze FC striker Peter Agblevor who leads the scoring charts with six goals, he hopes to chase the gong no matter what. I'm really happy to be here, I ask God to continue to help me to score more goals. I have my goals as a player, I will take them one by one and I hope things will go according to plan, he noted. APR currently sit in second place in the Prius National League with 14 points, two points behind table leaders Musanze FC. Mbaoma admits that the league is tough but he said is adapting to life in the competition as he vows to keep working hard to help the club retain it. “I said, football is one step at a time, I will continue to do my best and give my best, I will continue to pray to God to help me because without Him I am nothing, he noted. He will now be looking to contribute to APR’s glory yet again ahead of trip to Umuganda Stadium where they will face struggling Etincelles on October 21.
