APR FC captain Cheick Djibril Ouattara said his side could not afford to drop points in their opening BK Pro League match after fighting back from two goals down to beat Marine FC 4-2 in a thrilling encounter at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Wednesday.

The Burkinabè forward scored twice as APR overturned a difficult situation to begin their 2026/27 league campaign with a dramatic victory.

"We had to work very hard because we did not want to lose our opening match. The important thing was to start the season with three points,” Ouattara told journalists after the match.

The striker dismissed the perception that Marine FC are easy opponents, insisting that meetings between the two sides have consistently been difficult despite APR’s dominance over the years.

"Marine FC is not an easy team. Even last year, they scored first against us and we had to fight back before eventually winning the game,” Ouattara said.

The APR skipper said his side had to dig deep to avoid starting the season with a disappointing result.

"Whenever we face Marine, it is a difficult match. Those who think it is easy for us are mistaken. Since I joined APR, I don't remember a game against Marine where they didn't score first.

While emphasising that team success remains his priority, Ouattara admitted that scoring goals is also an important personal motivation.

"When APR win and I don't score, it doesn't feel quite right. I always want APR to win, but as a striker, I also want to score goals and help the team.”

Ouattara’s brace not only inspired APR’s comeback but also extended the club’s remarkable unbeaten league record against Marine FC, which now stretches back more than 26 years.