CAF CL: Ouattara’s brace sends APR FC into second preliminary round (Photos)

APR FC booked their place in the next round of the CAF Champions League after overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Les Aigles du Congo 3-0 at Amahoro Stadium, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory.

The Rwandan champions went into the decisive second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 defeat suffered in the first meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Les Aigles du Congo had taken the advantage in the first leg with 1-0 goal, leaving APR with no margin for error in front of their home supporters.

APR head coach Talib Abderrahman made one change to the side that started the first leg.

Seidu Yussif Dauda came into the starting XI for Ronald Ssekiganda, who was unavailable after receiving a red card in the opening encounter.

The hosts started cautiously, with Les Aigles defending deep and making it difficult for APR to create clear openings.

APR gradually increased the pressure, although several attacking moves were stopped before they could develop into genuine scoring opportunities.

Cheikh Djibril Ouattara came closest to breaking the deadlock during the opening half-hour, forcing a save from the visiting goalkeeper.

William Togui Mel also had an opportunity after a well-worked move, but Amani Michel was unable to turn the ball into the net.

APR finally found the breakthrough in the 33rd minute when Ouattara struck to put the hosts ahead on the night.

The goal levelled the tie on aggregate and gave APR renewed belief heading into half-time.

The second half saw APR return with greater intensity as they searched for the goal that would put them ahead in the tie.

Their pressure was rewarded in the 55th minute. Ishimwe Christian stepped up to take a free-kick and delivered the second goal, putting APR 2-0 ahead on the night and 2-1 in the aggregate score.

Abderrahman had made two changes shortly before the free-kick, introducing Hakim Kiwanuka and Uwiyaremye Fidali for Amani Michel and Memel Dao.

With Les Aigles now needing a goal to stay alive in the tie, APR continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack.

Their decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Ouattara was brought down inside the area, earning APR a penalty.

The Ivorian forward made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his second goal of the evening and put APR 3-0 ahead.

Ngabonziza Pacifique was later introduced for William Togui Mel as APR sought to manage the closing stages.

Les Aigles could not find a response, and the final whistle confirmed APR’s progression.

After suffering defeat in the first leg, APR delivered when it mattered most, producing a composed home performance to overturn the deficit and keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive.

The result gives the Rwandan champions another opportunity to compete on the continental stage as they advance to the next round, where they will face Egyptian giants Zamalek SC next month.

Photos