Rwanda’s representative in the Caf Champions League, APR FC, was held to a 1-1 draw at home against Pyramids FC in the second preliminary round of the first leg of the CAF Champions League held at the re-noveted Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday.
The 22-time Rwanda League Champions failed to win a game against their Egyptian opponent in their third meeting of the competition.
Both teams fielded strong lineups for the tough match but a draw was the final score during the full 90 minutes of action.
APR FC took the lead in the 50th minute from an own goal scored by Pyramids Moroccan right back Chibi Mohamed, who tried to place the ball out of his goal line but unfortunately went into the goal.
However, the Egyptian side responded in the 83rd minute through Congolese forward Fiston Mayele’s brilliant header, equalizing to ensure the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
APR’s hopes of making it to the group stage of the CAF Champions League seems to be a difficult task as their record against North African teams is poor.
The Rwandan sides have a job to do in the second leg fixtures if they are to pursue their long-standing dream of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage.
Their last encounter against the Egyptian side ended 6-1 where they were massively defeated.
The club’s winless record against Pyramids continues as their tactics, and game plans just don’t seem to be working.
APR has met 7 different clubs from North Africa in continental competitions and the results haven’t been encouraging for the Rwandan club.
They won two, drew two and lost seven in their last eleven meeting against the North African clubs.
It can be recalled that APR FC’s best campaign in the competition was in 2004 when they reached the third round under the stewardship of the late Captain (Rtd) Jean Marie Ntagwabira.
𝗔𝗣𝗥 𝗫𝗜 vs Pyramids: Pavelh Ndzila, Gilbert BYIRINGIRO, Clement NIYIGENA, Yunussu NSHIMIYIMANA, Claude NIYOMUGABO , Dauda Yussif, Taddeo Luanga, Bosco RUBONEKA, Lamine Bah, Gilbert MUGISHA and Mamadou Sy.
𝗣𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗫𝗜 vs APR: Ahmed El-Shenawy, Mahmoud Marei, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Chibi, Mohamed Hamdi, Karim Kafez, Ibrahim Blati Toure, Mohanad Lasheen, Ramadan Sobhi, Mostafa Fathy and Fiston Mayele.
Photos
Joseph M. Vincent