APR FC overturned a first-leg deficit to eliminate FC Les Aigles du Congo from the CAF Champions League preliminary round, advancing with a 3-1 aggregate victory after a 3-0 win at Amahoro Stadium.
The Rwandan champions went into Friday’s second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 defeat suffered in the first meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
APR FC started on the front foot, pushing forward in search of an early goal as Les Aigles du Congo sat back to protect their advantage.
The pressure paid off in the 33rd minute when captain Cheick Djibril Ouattara opened the scoring, sending the home supporters into celebration and putting APR FC level on aggregate.
The hosts maintained their advantage until halftime, with the tie level at 1-1 on aggregate.
Les Aigles du Congo responded strongly after the break and came close to scoring when an effort struck the crossbar following a crucial intervention by APR FC goalkeeper Ishimwe Christian.
APR FC regained control of the tie in the 60th minute when Ishimwe Christian scored from a well-executed free kick to make it 2-0 on the night and put APR FC 2-1 ahead on aggregate.
The visitors then increased the pressure, attacking primarily through the flanks as APR FC dropped deeper to defend its lead.
APR FC remained at risk of elimination if Les Aigles du Congo managed to score, but the hosts settled the contest in the 77th minute.
Ouattara converted from the penalty spot after he was brought down inside the box by goalkeeper Nathan Ndibu Mukadi, completing his brace and extending APR FC’s lead to 3-0.
The result completed a 3-1 aggregate comeback and sent APR FC through to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
