APR FC's hopes of ending their long wait for a place in the CAF Champions League group stage suffered a significant setback after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Egyptian giants Zamalek SC in the first leg of the second preliminary round at Amahoro Stadium on Friday evening. A late strike from substitute Nasser Mansy Elsayed handed the visitors a crucial away victory and left the Rwandan champions with an uphill task ahead of the return leg in Egypt on October 24. Despite dominating large portions of the contest and creating several promising opportunities, APR were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal and a costly lapse in concentration at the death. Roared on by their home supporters, APR began the match brightly and looked eager to seize control from the outset. The hosts fashioned two opportunities within the opening seven minutes, but Zamalek's well-organised defense stood firm. At the other end, goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana was tested in the ninth minute, producing a fine save to deny Oday Mohamed Dabbagh and keep the scores level. APR continued to pile pressure on Zamalek and nearly broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Christian Ishimwe unleashed a powerful effort from outside the area that drifted narrowly wide. APR remained on the front foot, with Jean Gilbert Byiringiro heading over from a corner in the 22nd minute before Memel Raouf Dao produced a moment of brilliance three minutes later, dribbling past two defenders and forcing a save from the Zamalek goalkeeper. APR controlled possession and dictated much of the game's tempo but struggled to find a way through the visitors' disciplined defensive setup. Dao continued to trouble the Egyptian side and came close again in the 30th minute, his powerful strike narrowly missing the target. Moments later, Byiringiro burst forward and picked out Uwiyaremye Fidali, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner. APR increasingly turned to long-range efforts in search of an opener. William Togui Mel came close in the 38th minute with a fierce strike that flashed just wide of the post. The hosts earned a free kick in a dangerous position just before halftime after Byiringiro was fouled. Ishimwe’s well-struck effort forced another save from goalkeeper Mahdy Mohamed, who pushed the ball behind for a corner. Despite their dominance, APR went into the break frustrated as the two sides remained level at 0-0. APR resumed the second half with the same attacking intent. Mamadou Traore fired over the crossbar in the 51st minute before Dabbagh tested Hakizimana again two minutes later, with the APR goalkeeper making another important save. Both coaches then turned to their benches in search of fresh energy. APR introduced Hakim Kiwanuka for Uwiyaremye Fidali in the 61st minute, while Amani Michel replaced the impressive Memel Raouf Dao in the 69th minute. The changes immediately injected life into APR's attack. In the 72nd minute, Amani Michel surged into the penalty area and delivered a dangerous cross. Kiwanuka failed to make contact, but the ball eventually reached Ishimwe Christian, whose delivery found Ouattara. However, the forward's header drifted wide. Three minutes later, Amani Michel tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed over the bar. APR's best opportunity arrived in the 79th minute when Ishimwe Christian delivered an inviting cross into the box. Togui rose to meet it but could only send his effort over the crossbar. The striker threatened again a minute later with a powerful shot that forced a save from the Zamalek goalkeeper. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, disaster struck for the home side in the closing moments. In the 90th minute, substitute Nasser Mansy capitalized on poor defending inside the APR penalty area to score the decisive goal and silence the home crowd. The final whistle confirmed a painful defeat for APR, who had been the better side for long stretches but lacked the cutting edge needed to convert their superiority into goals. The result leaves APR FC with a difficult challenge ahead of the return leg in Egypt on October 24.
