At the time of writing (which was before last Sunday’s games), APR and Marine both have 8 points and have not yet lost a game. So many fans are relieved that finally APR seems to have met its match, bringing some real competition to the league.

Yet APR coach Cliff Owuor, speaking to The Rwanda Focus, said his team is not focusing on Marine. “We are not competing against Marine as most people say; focusing on Marine would mean losing sight of other things. What we are targeting at is to be among the top four in Africa,” he remarked. APR is currently 8th in the Africa ranking and the best in East Africa.

Owuor also dismissed suggestions that APR only won the championship last year because Marine did not play their last game. “We beat Marine by 29 points at home and by 20 away–that’s a big difference of 49 points. Even if they played that last match, it wouldn’t have made a difference. So it’s crazy to talk about APR versus Marine; for us, Marine is not an issue–we respect all the opponents,” Owuor pointed out.

And the coach is convinced that his team will lift the trophy again this year. “We have the quality players, and I believe that we are still number one in the country. People might think that we are feeling the pressure, but it’s not true. Marine are certainly in good form, but I am sure we shall take the trophy,” Cliff Owuor said confidently.

It should not be forgotten, though, that Marine now has within its ranks former APR player Elibo Muhire, giving them some inside knowledge about their opponent. So it will not be a walk-over for APR after all.

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