Rwandan champions APR FC got off to a bright start in their CAF Champions League campaign as striker Yves Mugunga scored the lone goal of the game to help the military side beat US Monastir of Tunisia in a tense first leg clash held on Saturday, September 10, at Huye Stadium. Mugunga opened his 2022/23 Champions League account after heading home Innocent Nshuti's assist to give APR the lead after 19 minutes of the game that APR coach Adil Mohammed Erradi was allowed to coach from the touchline, his first time since he joined the club in 2019. The Moroccan was ineligible to coach CAF competitive games for the past two seasons because his coaching license was not accepted by the Confederation of African Football. Defender Omborenga Fitina thought he had broken the deadlock to give his side an early lead inside four minutes of the game but his header was comfortably saved by Monastir’s goalkeeper Ben Said without whom APR could have scored three or four in Huye. However, his untimely movement cost the visitors as he failed to save Mugunga’s head from the penalty area after 19 minutes. Midfielder Jean Bosco Ruboneka almost extended APR’s lead in the 28th minute but Ben Said made a powerful save as he punched the ball to the corner. Mugunga again posed a major threat toward Monastir’s defense when he jumped high to head Christian Ishimwe’s cross but only to send the ball past the cross bar. In general, the hosts were in control of the game in the first half until the half time break. However, Monastir was the better side in the second half as they created a series of dangerous chances as they were pushing for an equalizer. But that didn’t stop APR’s attack from looking for more goals. Monastir will have to thank Ben Said for his impressive performance between the sticks that saw him make a save of the game that denied Mugunga the chance of doubling the lead for the home through a powerful header in the 56th minute. Monastir were so dominant in the second half that they created so many chances until striker Omarou Ali Youssoufo found the back of the net only his goal was ruled offside in a controversial refereeing decision that the traveling players protested towards the referees. Yousoufo was as a result booked for leading the protests towards the referees. APR will have to defend their goal during the second leg slated September 18 in Tunisia if they are to progress to the next round of the CAF Champions League, with Egyptian giants Al Ahly waiting on their wings as their next opponents.
