APR defender Abdul Rwatubyaye is oozing confidence ahead of the 1/16th round clash against Young Africans of Tanzania on Saturday, 12 March 2016 in Kigali in the CAF Champions League. The return leg will take place seven days later in Dar es Salaam.

Ahead of the encounter, dubbed a ‘regional derby’, Rwatubyaye has urged his teammates to stay focused, and insisting ‘Yanga’ as the Tanzania giants are nicknamed is beatable.

The Rwandan champions eliminated Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland 4-2 on aggregate at the preliminary round, with the 19-year old netting a hat-trick in the return leg, and will face a much tougher opposition in Yanga, as both teams have a lot in common.

“We want to go far in the Orange CAF Champions League and winning more games will give us more confidence. We don’t want to be eliminated early in the competition.

“We have to play against top teams in Africa to get more confidence and experience. What we need now is to be focused and determined. We believe that we have the ability to go far, but we must first concentrate on the games ahead.

“What’s important now is the game against Young Africans, winning it would be a very good turning point. All the players and staff are looking forward to the game, and we want to win it,” he said.

“We have to work hard to ensure that we keep a clean sheet in the first leg at home in order to give ourselves a good chance to finish off the job in the return leg match,” noted Rwatubyaye.

On the other hand, Yanga beat over Cercle de Joachim of Mauritius 2-0 in the reverse fixture and advance 3-0 on aggregate.

“It will be tough game because Young Africans is very big team, and we have to be ready for the challenge. I have confidence to score goals and I have shown that. I have to work hard under the new head coach (Nizar Khanfir) to show him my qualities. I have confidence that I will continue to be better.

“Scoring three goals was fantastic for me and a big achievement for my career. It will raise my level and that of the team. It shows that we can score more goals even in big competitions,” he added.

Rwatubyaye, who hit the headlines with his hat-trick against the Swazi champions, has been an influential part of the APR campaign this term. The 15-time league champions sit on fourth position with 30 points after 13 games with three matches in hand.

The military side contributed nine players in the Amavubi squad at the recent Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) where the host lost to eventual winners, DR Congo at the quarters.

The players includes Emery Bayisenge and Abdul Rwatubyaye, Faustin Usengimana, Michel Rusheshangoga (defenders), Yannick Mukunzi, Djihad Bizimana, Jean-Claude Iranzi (midfielders) and goalkeepers Olivier Kwizera and Jean-Claude Ndoli.

APR were ousted by Egyptian giants Al Ahly 4-0 on aggregate in 2015.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com