APR FC on Saturday afternoon bowed out of the CAF Confederations cup despite their 2-1 win over Djoliba AC de Bamako of Mali.
Djoliba AC qualified for play-off round with a 2-2 goal aggregate after winning the first leg 1-0 in Bamako a week ago.
The home side known for its gallant and dramatic come backs engaged an attack minded play from the start but the win was not enough to overturn the first leg result as for them to proceed to the next round, they were required to score at least three unanswered goals.
The military side scored their goals courtesy of a 19th minute strike from Djihad Bizimana and Nshuti Innocent in the 73rd minute.
Visitors side Djoliba AC de Bamako had scored an early goal in the 9th minute, a goal which dented APR Fc’s qualification round.
Coach Ljubomir Petrovic employed a different approach in the match hoping to contain the pressure in the first fifteen minutes with a defensive formation.
But the Malians on the other hand stuck to their script, going for early attacks in search of the crucial away goal and it paid off early in the game when Siaka Bagayoko poked in a strong header after numerous attempts on goal.
A goal down, APR needed two goals to resuscitate any hopes of qualifying against a technically brilliant Malian side. Djihad Bizimana drew level the matters ten minutes later pounching on a loose ball after eliminating defender Aboulaye Diaby who failed to clear the ball.
Innocent Nshuti who replaced Dominique Savio Nshuti netted second goal for APR in the 75th minute with rebound after strong shot from Djihad Bizimana.
The second goal invited more attack with the fans sensing hope. In the 82nd minute, Buregeya Prince was well placed to tap home a third goal but time was too short to allow a miraculous comeback for APR who bowed out of the championship with their heads held high.
APR’s coach Ljubomir ‘Ljupko’ Petrovic praised his team despite the exit. “My players had good mentality and after going a goal down, they responded well to win the encounter. The win was not enough to take us through because of an early goal we conceded in the first ten minutes.”
“We have not reached our target, we will now turn our focus to the domestic competitions,” added Petrovic
Djoliba coach Fanyeri Diarra said,“We are happy with this qualification. My players did a good job, defended well after conceding two goals.”
“All in all, this is a good start to our campaign and we hope to reach the group stage of the Confederation Cup. We will see who we draw in the play-off and prepare well to seal our target,” added Diarra.
Djoliba AC de Bamako had previously reached the group stages of CAF Confederation Cup in 2012 while APR have never reached the stage since they made their debut in Africa’s biggest club competition in 1997.
