APR head coach Ben Moussa is in a major injury dilemma as five of his regular first team players remain doubtful for Sunday’s Peace Cup semifinal second leg clash with Kiyovu at Kigali Pelé Stadium. The players struggling with injuries include defenders Prince Buregeya, Clement Niyigena and Claude Niyomugabo, midfielder Bosco Ruboneka and goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe. The latter had to be replaced by youngster Alexandre Mutabaruka in the 73rd minute after he injured his hand trying to clear Kiyovu’s equalizer as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the Peace Cup semi final first leg held at Bugesera Stadium on Wednesday. I am a bit upset with the injuries. We expect a tough game, which means that we need to be ready for selection for our second leg,” Moussa said. I am so concerned with such serious injuries but I hope the available squad will give all they can for a better result against Kiyovu. We are ready for the game; our focus is to claim it. We know it will be hard, but we are ambitious and we are capable of achieving it. APR and Kiyovu still have all to play for this season as, besides the Peace Cup, they are still locked up in the final sprint of the top flight league title race which is two matches away from the finish line. The first leg game between the two clubs last Wednesday ended in a pulsating 1-1 draw with Alain Kwitonda opening the scoring for the army side in the 23rd minute before Frodouard Mugiraneza equalized for Kiyovu in the 72nd minute through a swift counter attack. ALSO READ: APR knock Marines out of the Peace Cup quarter finals APR reached the final of the Peace Cup in the 2021/22 season where they lost to AS Kigali and they are bent on reaching the final again and making amends. Kiyovu, on the other hand, look hungrier to win the double to end their 30-year title jinx in style. In terms of general output, both teams have been outstanding and they are expected to serve the spectators with quality football. The Green Baggies are expected to go by their usual 4-3-3 formation with Erisa Ssekisambu, Bertrand Iradukunda and Bienvenue Mugenzi as their marksmen. One of the key strengths in the Kiyovu team is their midfield where Burundian midfielder maestro Ismail Nshimirimana has been unstoppable in the heart of midfield and he has been Kiyovu’s driving force and arguably their player of the season. APR are also very dangerous in attack; they have the needed arsenals who can decide the outcome of games at any time. High-flying Yannick Bizimana, Gilbert Mugisha and Ramadan Niyibizi have shown that they can deliver whenever needed. The main problem with APR is their defense as they have been porous in their last eight games where they have conceded 8 goals. It will be interesting to see how they cope with the ferocious Kiyovu attack once again on Sunday. The winner will face Rayon Sports in the final slated for June 3 at Huye Stadium.
