APR FC's 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign ended in disappointment despite a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Uganda's Vipers SC at Amahoro Stadium on Thursday.
The Rwandan champions finished third in Group A with six points from three matches, having won two games and lost one.
APR made a bright start and broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Mamadou Traore capped off a well-worked attacking move with a composed finish.
The hosts maintained the pressure and came close to extending their lead. Memel Dao nearly doubled the advantage three minutes later after being picked out by Gilbert Byiringiro, while Djibril Ouattara squandered another promising opportunity in the 30th minute.
Despite APR's dominance, Vipers gradually settled into the contest and equalized in the 38th minute. Gusto Mulongo capitalized on a defensive lapse, unleashing a long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper and leveled the score before halftime.
APR almost restored their lead on the stroke of halftime, but Ouattara's effort in the 45th minute was cleared off the line by the Vipers captain.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with APR controlling possession and pressing relentlessly for a winner.
Their persistence paid off midway through the half when Dao delivered an inviting cross that Ouattara met with a powerful header to make it 2-1.
Vipers' hopes of mounting a comeback were dealt a major blow when Kevin Da Silva Badi was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ouattara, leaving the Ugandan side to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
APR comfortably saw out the closing stages, but the victory was not enough to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
The Rwandan champions ultimately paid the price for their crushing 5-0 defeat to Gor Mahia in their opening Group A match on July 24.
APR finished the group stage with six points, scoring five goals and conceding seven.
Elsewhere, Gor Mahia secured a place in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Garde Républicaine at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Paul Okoth scored the decisive goal, although the Kenyan side finished with 10 men after Alpha Chris Onyango was shown a red card.
The win lifted Gor Mahia to six points, level with Vipers, but the Kenyan giants advanced on goal difference.
Vipers, who finished second in the group, must now await the outcome of Saturday's clash between Al Hilal and Rayon Sports to learn whether they will progress to the last four.