APR FC head coach Adil Errade Mohamed has said that his players are in an “upbeat mood and ready to deliver” when they face Tunisian outfit US Monastir in the first preliminary round of the 2022-2023 CAF Champions League game at Huye Stadium, on September 10. Mohamed Adil Erradi’s side is seeking to put itself in the best possible shape ahead of what is expected to be a busy campaign. They expect to face daunting tasks on their way to reach the group stage of the Champions League and retain the league title. The military side who are camping at Shyorongi Hotel, in Rulindo District, are training twice a day at Shyorongi artificial turf. The black and white’s biggest success in the history of African club tournaments was in the 2002/2003 season when they reached the semifinals of the Cup Winners Cup. “We are in good shape individually and collectively. The target is to get positive results in the home first-leg match before we travel for the return leg. Every player is focused and determined to get the mission accomplished,” Errade said. APR has a poor record against North African teams and Etoile du Sahel has never lost to APR in their past two meetings. APR have never reached the group stage since they made their debut in one of Africa’s biggest club competitions in 1997. APR FC’s best campaign in Africa’s premier club competition was during the 2004 season when they reached the third round under the stewardship of the late Jean Marie Ntagwabira. Should the black-and-white outfit reach the lustrous group stage, they will be the second Rwandan side to achieve the feat in the Caf Competitions after Rayon Sports in 2018.
