APR FC’s 2-1 victory over Uganda’s Vipers SC proved insufficient to keep their CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign alive, as the Rwandan champions were eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in Group A on goal difference.
The final round of Group A fixtures was played simultaneously on Thursday evening, with APR FC taking on Vipers SC at Amahoro Stadium while Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC faced Djibouti’s Garde Républicaine FC at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
APR FC head coach Taleb Abderrahim kept faith with the same starting XI that featured against Garde Républicaine in the previous match.
Hakizimana Adolphe started in goal behind a back four of Nshimiyimana Yunusu, Madou Zon, Byiringiro Jean Gilbert and Ishimwe Christian. Ronald Ssekiganda, Dao Raouf Memel and Traore Mamadou operated in midfield, while Cheick Djibril Ouattara, William Tel Togui and Amani Kuodiakan Michel Breygeneve led the attack.
Dauda Yussif Seidu returned to the matchday squad after missing the previous fixture and was named among the substitutes, while goalkeeper Erne Siluane travelled with the team but was not included in the squad.
Needing both victory and goals to boost their qualification hopes, APR FC started on the front foot. Vipers, meanwhile, were content to dominate possession, knowing that a draw would be enough to secure top spot in the group.
APR FC capitalised on a costly error in the 19th minute when Vipers goalkeeper Kiggundu Denis misplaced a pass. Cheick Djibril Ouattara quickly regained possession and set up Traore Mamadou, who calmly slotted home to give the hosts the lead. It was Traore’s second goal of the tournament after also scoring against Garde Républicaine.
Vipers responded positively despite fielding a rotated side and restored parity in the 38th minute through Gusto Mulongo, leaving the teams level at 1-1 at halftime.
The Ugandan side looked sharper after the break, particularly following the introduction of experienced players Farouk Miya and captain Kalisa Milton. However, APR FC regained the lead in the 60th minute when captain Djibril Ouattara finished clinically after being picked out by Dao Raouf Memel.
Vipers continued to threaten from set pieces but their task became significantly harder when defender Kevin Dasylva Bady was shown a straight red card for bringing down Ouattara during a dangerous APR counterattack.
Despite playing against 10 men for the final 14 minutes, APR FC could not find the additional goals they desperately needed. Taleb Abderrahim threw on attacking substitutes Hakim Kiwanuka, Uwiyaremye Fidali, Rubuguza Jean Pierre and Iraguha Hadji, while also introducing Dauda Yussif Seidu in search of a decisive third goal.
The late pressure yielded no further reward, and although APR FC secured all three points, the victory ultimately counted for little as they exited the competition.
In the other Group A fixture, Gor Mahia secured a 1-0 win over Garde Républicaine thanks to Paul Okoth Odhiambo’s fourth-minute strike. The Kenyan side held on despite Onyango Alpha being sent off in the 72nd minute.
The result saw Gor Mahia finish top of Group A with six points and a goal difference of +5. Vipers also finished on six points but advanced ahead of APR FC with a superior goal difference of +3, while the Rwandan champions ended third on six points with a goal difference of -2. Garde Républicaine finished bottom without a point after losing all three matches.
Gor Mahia booked a place in the semi-finals, while Vipers must wait to learn whether they qualify as one of the tournament’s best runners-up. APR FC and Garde Républicaine were eliminated.
The group stage continues on Friday with the final Group C fixtures. Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars will face Simba SC at Amahoro Stadium, while South Sudan’s Jamus FC will meet Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Group C remains wide open, with Jamus FC leading on four points, followed by Singida Black Stars on three, Simba SC on two and Mogadishu City Club on one.
