APR Fc midfielder Djihad Bizimana seen going past Bibi Warren of Anse Reunion, hit a hattrick against the Seychelles side to earn a crucial victory for the military side on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium.
Rwanda’s Peace Cup champions APR FC put a foot in the next round after managing a 4-0 home victory over Seychelles visitors Anse Reunion in the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup played on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali City.
The military side will head to Seychelles capital of Victoria for the preliminary round return leg in top gear, as Anse Reunion need to score at least six unanswered goals to edge them out.
Led by the former APR and Amavubi legend Jimmy Mulisa, the military side started the game on high note, taking the lead in the 12th minute when pivotal and talented midfielder Djihad Bizimana fired a long range shot past goalie Ricky Rose, earning the hosts an early lead.
Bizimana doubled the lead for the in the second half as he headed a cross from Emmanuel Imanishimwe to register a brace for himself in the 70th minute.
Eight minutes later, striker Issa Bigirimana tripled the lead with a beautiful strike as APR Fc went rampant against the hosts in search of a superior goal score.
Bizimana earned a hattrick in the 90th minute as he scored the fourth goal for the military side to put APR Fc in a pole position to qualify to the next round.
The substitutions made by Coach Mulisa by bringing in Nshuti Innocent for Maxime Sekamana, Itangishaka Blaise for Hakizimana Muhadjir and Twizeyimana Martin Fabrice for Byiringiro Lague played a big role as the trio rejuvenated their attacking option while weakening Anse Reunion’s chances of moving forward in search for a consolation goal.
The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, 21 February 2018 in Victoria with the aggregate winner qualifying to the 1/16th round where they will face Malian side Djoliba after their would-be opponents ELWA United from Liberia withdraw from participation at the last minute following financial constraints.
CAF Confederation Cup 2018
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