APR’s hopes of making it to the group stage of the CAF Champions League were dealt to a major blow after recording a goalless draw with Egyptian side Pyramids FC during the competition’s second round first leg held at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Sunday.
It was an improved performance from the army side who dominated the Egyptian powerhouse despite failing to capitalize their chances.
Club coach Thierry Froger started Victor Mbaoma as the lone striker upfront with Salomon Bidjeme also coming in for Prince Buregeya in central defence.
The home side started the game brightly as they pinned Pyramids FC into their own half.
Sharaf Shaiboub remained the engine of APR as he sprayed passes to every corner of the field and made mince meat of Ahmed Tawfiq and Mohammed Lasheen in the Pyramids midfield
The first chance came when Taddeo Lwanga, who was in front of the team’s back four, found Shaiboub with a piercing pass after retrieving possession but the Sudanese effort went wide after creating space for himself.
Shaiboub was at it again in the 35th minute after firing a grounder, Mohammed El- Shenawy failed to grab the ball and the rebound fell to Victor Mbaoma who fired it into the net. The goal was, however, ruled out after he was flagged offside.
In a quick response, Ibrahim Adel and Fiston Mayele combined beautifully but the former’s effort lacked the needed power to trouble APR goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila.
The first half ended with the scores at 0-0 though APR was a dominant force.
The second half saw Pyramids FC starting brightly as they pushed more men upfront.
They could have netted with their first attack but a great piece of defending from Salomon Bidjeme denied them the opener as he cleared a goal bound effort from Mostafa Fathy.
Froger decided to play a two-man attack when he introduced Gilbert Mugisha who came in for Ramadhan Niyibizi.
The partnership between Mbaoma and Mugisha was massive as APR came back strongly into the game with their attacking football.
The pair had a couple of clear cut chances while at the same time causing danger to the Pyramids FC back four couple of times.
Mugisha had arguably his best football in the last 20 minutes of the game since his introduction.
Ali Gabr timely intercepted a superb pass from Mugisha to Victor Mbaoma before the Nigerian could cause havoc.
The final ten minutes of the game saw Pyramids defending gallantly as the referee blew his final whistle for the end of the game with the scores at 0-0.
