AS Kigali’s head coach, Guy Bukasa, remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back from their first-leg defeat against APR in the Peace Cup round of 16 clash. After suffering a 1-0 loss in the initial encounter, Bukasa is determined to steer his side to victory as they prepare to face off in the second leg at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, January 24.
Reflecting on the previous match, Bukasa acknowledged the missed opportunities in attack but expressed unwavering belief in AS Kigali’s potential to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Our strikers gave their best in the first leg, but we fell short this time. We must be prepared for the upcoming match and strive to score early to advance to the next round,” stated Bukasa ahead of the crucial fixture.
Emphasizing the narrow margin of the aggregate score, Bukasa affirmed, “It’s still 1-0, and we will make a comeback to keep our hopes alive. With one match remaining, we cannot be discounted from the competition. We are committed to giving our all, scoring goals, and securing progression.”
While AS Kigali has faced a challenging season, currently positioned 13th in the league standings with 19 points, the return of former president Fabrice Shema has signaled a turnaround in the club’s fortunes, with renewed support for the team’s recovery process.
Shema’s resurgence saw significant changes within the club, including the appointment of Bukasa as the new head coach, succeeding Andre Casa Mbungo. Additionally, AS Kigali bolstered its squad with new acquisitions such as goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana, recruited from Rayon Sports to replace the injured Yves Kimenyi. Furthermore, Hussein Shabani made a comeback to the club from Libyan side Al Taawon, signing a six-month deal expiring at the season’s end.
Notably, while APR received a bye from the first qualifying round, AS Kigali progressed to the round of 16 by eliminating Etincelles.
The stage is set for a riveting showdown as AS Kigali and APR FC gear up for the decisive second leg at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, January 24, with kickoff slated for 6 PM.
