Nshimiyimana believes APR will win the title

APR Fc

Primus League

Wednesday

APR 1-0 Espoir

PRIMUS league champions APR beat Espoir 1-0 on Wednesday to get back into the title contention for the league title.

APR, who lost 0-4 to traditional rivals Rayon Sport in last weekend’s encounter, will be glad with a hard earned win which was secured in the 5th minute courtesy of Jacques Cyubahiro’s strike.

The former Isonga FC striker scored the game’s solitary goal from a well-placed set piece off Jean Claude Iranzi’s effort to ensure the military side remain in touch with their title defence.

APR remain third with 35 points, six behind leaders and arch rivals Rayon Sport who will play their game in hand against second-placed Police FC on March 27.

The former APR and Amavubi Stars towering midfielder, who has been put in the spotlight by last result, admits that last Saturday was a “black day” for the army side, but he still has hopes of winning the league in his first season as the team coach.

“No one will forget that result, we are still hurt, but it’s now in the past, we need to focus on the next game against Espoir, which won’t be easy,” he said.

He added, “The players haven’t got over that defeat yet it’s my role as coach to lift their spirits, unfortunately we don’t have too much time to recover, we are still focused on the league title.”

“We have six games to go, and if we win all our games, we have a chance depending on what happens elsewhere. I am not going to give up on the title, nothing has been won yet,” he noted, despite his team lying six points adrift of Rayon and another five behind second-placed Police FC.

Nshimiyimana added, “We have been doing well since the start of the season, but in last two matches we failed to get even one point, but I am confident we can turn things around.”

Espoir is placed tenth with 22 points in 20 matches played as they continue their losing run, now three in a row.

The Primus league will now be put on recess to pave way for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers where Amavubi will face Mali on March 24.

After the qualifiers, clubs will shift their attention to 2013 Peace Cup edition which resumes with 1/8th round matches on March 27.