Rwanda giantsAPR FC lifted the 2013/14 Turbo King Football league title on Sunday to become the first club to win 14 national league titles.
The military side was crowned champions without kicking a ball after their opponents AS Muhanga failed to turn up for the game following a players’ strike over unpaid wages.
To APR, this was a historical title following their decision in 2012 to offload foreign players and field only Rwandan players as a way of giving a chance to homegrown talent.
They went on to recruit the crème de la crème of local talent, but failed to retain their title, which saw archrivals Rayon Sports win their first league title nine years.
Even as AS Muhanga coach Ali Bizimungu had been on record saying that his players may not show up for the final game on Saturday, APR FC turned up as expected, while their fans flocked the Kigali Regional Stadium in celebratory mood.
It later emerged that by 3p.m, AS Muhanga had not left their home base in Muhanga District. Forty-five minutes later referee Louis Hakizimana decided the game result in APR’s favour before submitting his day’s report to the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa).
After all the day’s matches had ended, Ferwafa chairman Vicent Degaule Nzamwita, announced that APR FC were the 2013/14 Turbo King Football League champions.
The announcement sent the APR FC faithful, players and administrators into wild celebrations, with the players running round the pitch saluting their supporters.
Sports and Culture minister Protais Mitali handed the trophy to APR captain Ismael Nshutiyamagara, sparking jubilations. The country’s most successful football club also received Rwf10 million (about US$14,800).
Head coach Vincent Mashami said, “This is a great day for APR and the supporters, we are happy for this title because most of the players and even us coaches have won it for the first title, it’s something to enjoy,”
“It was a very long journey to the title. It was never easy. It was a hard way. We have had tough games from the moment I started working here, but we maintained our focus and we kept on fighting and finally we have achieved it. We’re all enjoying the moment and everyone in the team has a reason to celebrate his good work,” Mashami added.
APR will now return to the continental elite football next year, besides representing Rwanda at the next edition of the Cecafa Kagame club Championship.
Rayon Sports finished runners-up after beating Musanze 2-1 and were rewarded a Rwf5 million cheque for their efforts. They completed the campaign with 62 points, two adrift of the champions.
APR scored 46 goals, conceded 13 goals and boasted the best defense, while rivals Rayon Sports found the net 57 times and conceded 23 goals making them the side with the best striking force in the league.
Rayon’s suspended Burundian striker Cedric Amissi and Musanze striker Wai Yeka were the season’s top scorers with 13 goals.
APR’s league glory will have come as a major boost to their interim Rwandan coach Vincent Mashami who replaced German-born Andreas Spiers in February this year.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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