APR's Victor Mbaoma is enduring a tough time at the club as his struggles to rediscover his form continues. The Nigerian striker has failed to find the back of the net in all competitions this season. In his prime, he scored 15 goals and went on to share the Rwanda Premier League top scorer award with countryman Elijah Ani who was at the time playing for Bugesera FC. With Mbaoma’s explosive start to life at APR last season when he joined the Rwandan champions from Uzbekistani Premier League side Qizilqum FC, many people thought his second season would have been even brighter but it has turned out to be poor as he barely even gets selection. Football is one funny sport, players can lose form easily and with some also, change of coaches woefully affects them. It happens even to established players. Didier Drogba found himself in such a situation at Chelsea under Brazilian gaffer Luis Felipe Scolari who preferred Nicolas Anelka as his number 9 and a seemingly frustrated Drogba was always on the bench. ALSO READ: APR share spoils with Police FC in epic encounter From the time Darko Novic was named as coach of APR, it was clear that Mbaoma wasn't his type of striker. He chose to rotate between Mbaoma and Mamadou Sy in the CECAFA Kagame tournament as the Rwandan champions finished as runners-up. ALSO READ: APR's attacking woes: A source of concern for Darko Novic preferred using Sy at the start of the league at the expense of the much experienced Mbaoma. The 2023/24 Rwanda Premier League top scorer got injured and, by the time he returned, his confidence was gone. Though he was on the bench in some games, Novic still used Arsene Tuyisenge as an improvised number 9 when it became clear that Sy needed a bit of time to become abreast with the Rwandan game. Mbaoma is cast in the mood of former Manchester United strikers Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Javier Chicharito Hernandez who were all goal mongers in their prime. They were typical 18-yard box strikers who were very prolific inside the box. All they needed is the services. Currently, APR have lots of creative players including Lamine Bah, Richmond Lamptey, Gilbert Mugisha and others who can help Mbaoma to get back to his goal scoring form. He is a predator who needs services to excel. Again, his confidence level has become so low now. He needs a lot of games to build him up and Novic and his technical team has the tendency to get the best out of him as he could be very crucial if APR are to overtake Rayon Sports. The Lions have brought Burkinabe striker Djibril Ouatarra and this will also offer a healthy competition for Mbaoma. Now they have Sy, Ouatarra, Mbaoma and Tuyisenge who is also capable of playing as a striker. The earlier the Nigerian forward steps up in the remaining 10 league games the better. APR's top scorer this season is Lamine Bah with 4 goals. He is primarily a winger and it is a shame for a club which has spent a fortune on strikers this current season to have a winger as their top scorer. Sy has scored twice, with both goals coming from penalties against relegation-threatened Vision FC while Mbaoma is yet to score. With 10 league games remaining in the league, Mbaoma must step up and show the big player he is. The former Enyimba and MC Algiers striker has his destiny in his own hands. In all aspects, Mbaoma must start scoring or else he will be a goner in June when his contract expires and his first-season excellence will be termed as just a fluke.
