APR silenced in Kagame Cup finals

• Print PDF

It was a battle of pride as the three-time champions APR of Rwanda faced their DR Congo counterparts AS Vita in the third-place playoff of the CECAFA Kagame Cup this afternoon in Dar es Salaam.

APR who lost the title hunt to Yanga following their loss in Thursday’s semi-final, started the game at their best hoping to secure second runners-up slot valued at a prize of $10,000 cash token.

Missed chances

Vita club hit to the pitch in an upbeat mood, trailing steadily behind their seemingly tough opponents and managed to make a score at the 18^th minute through Magola Mapanda with a nice shot from 40 yards.

The first-half of the game was dominated by APR who lost on several good chances not making any good from the two minutes of the added time.

Overwhelmed defense

APR’s Twite Kabange who made a return for the military side after missing out at semi-final through suspension picked up yet another yellow card during the two-minute added time as he strived to break the deadlock for his side.

 The second-half, started with a hasty substitution both sides struggling to carry the day, Vita maintaining their dominance doubled their score at the 64^th minute through Mutomo Kazadi who got the back of the net after a sharp back pass from Emmanuel Ngindukama who came in as a substitution in the 58^th minute.

Contended

APR seemingly overwhelmed by Vita club’s defense, brought in Mubumbyi Sekama for Oliver Karekezi at the 64^th minute and Maxim Sekama for Claude Iranzi as the battle for the cash token intensified.

Apparently, Vita club looked contented with the goals, giving the striving military side last-minute chances to break the spell and through Jean Mugirenza at the 89^th minute, it was 2-1 for APR who cared not to head back home empty-handed.