RPF tournament kicks off with APR, Vital’ O clashing in opener

APR FC

Rwanda’s football giant APR meets Burundian side Vital’O in the opening match of the RPF’s 25th anniversary football tournament set for this Saturday at Stade de Kigali.

Both clubs which were drawn together in the preliminary round of the 2013 CAF Champions League due to be played in February and March next year are booming with lots of confidence to win the tournament.

Head Coach Eric Nshimiyimana told the press on Friday, “This tournament means a lot to us and every player will go into tomorrow’s [today] match with a winning mentality. We need such international matches to be able to improve the team’s effectiveness,”

“We are facing a very good and experienced side which has international exposure, so both teams will display an entertaining game.” he added

Vital’ O’ head coach Yaounde Kanyankole who brings a young squad into the competition says, “We want to play good football and our mission is to win the tournament. We were delighted for having been invited to be part of this historical event. This shows that we are a family and many Rwandan administrators used to play and support for Vital’O before the liberation struggle. So this is actually their team.”

The military side was formed by Rwandese Patriotic Front [RPF]in 1993 during the liberation campaign before it later evolving into one of the biggest clubs on the regional scene.

The second game will be played on Sunday with SC Villa set to clash with Rayon Sport.

The third position play-off and the final match will be played on December 18.

The winner will walk away with US$10,000 (about Rwf6.6m) on top of the trophy while  first runner-up will get US$7,000, US$5,000 for third placed team, while the fourth will receive US$3,000.