Rwanda’s representatives at the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup, APR secured a berth in the quarterfinals after seeing off Somalia’s Heegan FC 2-0, yesterday at the Karume Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Striker Michel Ndahinduka opened the scoring in the 27th minute after left-winger Jean Claude Iranzi sent a superb pass into the penalty box that the former put past Heegan’s goalkeeper.
Right-winger Fiston Nkizingabo increased APR’s lead in the second half to inspire the army side to a 2-0 victory to make it two consecutive victories at the regional tournament.
APR is now top of Group B with six points and will face Burundi’s LLB in their last Group B match on July 23 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
“It was not an easy game but we managed to win it and that is what is important. We are now in the quarterfinals,” said the contented APR assistant coach Vincent Mashami.
Goal-scorer Nkizingabo said, “I am very pleased that I scored today because it is the first time I am playing at CECAFA. We worked hard as a team and I am glad we won.”
LLB sits in second position in Group B with two points having registered two draws, a goalless one against Heegan FC in their opening fixture on Sunday before yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Al Ahly Shendi. Al Ahly Shendi and Heegan each have a point.
Meanwhile, in the other game of the day, Azam booked a place in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over South Sudan’s Malakia.
Azam captain John Bocco and substitute Kipre Tche Tche netted for the ice cream makers as former APR midfielder Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza impressed on his first full debut for the Tanzanian side.
Today, Kwesi Appiah’s Al Khartoum will be up against KMKM of Zanzibar while Ugandan champions KCCA will be looking to register their first win of the tournament when they take on Adama City of Ethiopia.
KCCA was stunned by Azam 1-0 in their opening fixture. Five-time winners Yanga will also be seeking redemption when they take on Djibouti Telecom with the former hoping to avoid an early exit having lost to Kenya’s Gor Mahia 2-1 in their first game.
The New Times
UM– USEKE.RW
