APR FC's 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup marketing campaign resulted in disappointment regardless of a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Uganda's Vipers SC at Amahoro Stadium on Thursday.
The Rwandan champions completed third in Group A with six factors from three matches, having gained two video games and misplaced one.
APR made a shiny begin and broke the impasse within the twenty second minute when Mamadou Traore capped off a well-worked attacking transfer with a composed end.
The hosts maintained the strain and got here near extending their lead. Memel Dao almost doubled the benefit three minutes later after being picked out by Gilbert Byiringiro, whereas Djibril Ouattara squandered one other promising alternative within the thirtieth minute.
Regardless of APR's dominance, Vipers steadily settled into the competition and equalized within the thirty eighth minute. Gusto Mulongo capitalized on a defensive lapse, unleashing a long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper and leveled the rating earlier than halftime.
APR nearly restored their lead on the stroke of halftime, however Ouattara's effort within the forty fifth minute was cleared off the road by the Vipers captain.
The second half adopted an analogous sample, with APR controlling possession and urgent relentlessly for a winner.
Their persistence paid off halfway by means of the half when Dao delivered an inviting cross that Ouattara met with a robust header to make it 2-1.
Vipers' hopes of mounting a comeback have been dealt a significant blow when Kevin Da Silva Badi was despatched off for a reckless problem on Ouattara, leaving the Ugandan facet to play the rest of the match with 10 males.
APR comfortably noticed out the closing levels, however the victory was not sufficient to maintain their semifinal hopes alive.
The Rwandan champions in the end paid the worth for his or her crushing 5-0 defeat to Gor Mahia of their opening Group A match on July 24.
APR completed the group stage with six factors, scoring 5 targets and conceding seven.
Elsewhere, Gor Mahia secured a spot within the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Garde Républicaine at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Paul Okoth scored the decisive objective, though the Kenyan facet completed with 10 males after Alpha Chris Onyango was proven a purple card.
The win lifted Gor Mahia to 6 factors, stage with Vipers, however the Kenyan giants superior on objective distinction.
Vipers, who completed second within the group, should now await the end result of Saturday's conflict between Al Hilal and Rayon Sports activities to be taught whether or not they are going to progress to the final 4.
