Kigali, Rwanda ( Agencies + AFRICASPORTS.NET) – Newly appointed APR coach Yaounde Gilbert Kanyankore has revealed that his aim is to take the military side to the forward.
The Vital’O legend, who was recently bundled out of the Burundian outfit after a trophy laden 25 years, is keen to impress his new employers as well as embrace a new career challenge.
The record 16-time Rwanda Premier League champions are familiar with success on all fronts on domestic and regional level but have been mediocre in continental competitions this decade.
A recently adopted policy that was launched in 2013 has limited APR to Rwandan players in a bid to give an opportunity to locally groomed players but also as a means of curbing exorbitant financial expenditure.
With this in mind, Kanyankore is keen on achieving more silverware, relying on a competent group of players.
Kanyankore’s first assignment is to get Rwanda’s title defence under way at the 10th edition of the East Africa Military Games scheduled to be held in Kigali from August 5-18.
“We are on the right path to getting APR to the next level as we prepare for the upcoming Military Games on the weekend,” he explained.
“Since the other league teams are still in their off season we shall not be able to play a friendly game before the tournament, but the good thing is that we have very good players and the competition among them to prove a point brings out the best in them.”
The arrival of last season’s league top scorer in Muhadjiri Hakizimana, national U-20 dependable players Blaise Itangishaka to replace the misfiring Michel Ndahinduka and Bernabe Mubumbyi as well as central defender Aimable Nsabimana has already emphasised the club’s intentions.
“I cannot say much about the new players because we are yet to play a game, but the new players are good and I know that in the they deliver performances to the satisfaction of the club’s fans.”
Military football teams from across the East African region including Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are expected to compete in the annual event.