Tanzanian giants Yanga upset  APR of Rwanda 2-1 in the first leg of the Caf Champions League first round tie at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Saturday.

Juma Abdul converted a well-taken freekick from 30 yards past APR goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera at the near post as the visitors took the lead in the 20th minute.

Iranzi then had a long-range shot at goal in the 32nd minute but Mustapha came to the rescue once again as Yanga continued to dominate possession.

Bizimana got to the end of an Iranzi cross from the left flank but his header went off target as Nizar Khanfir’s side continued to search for an equalizer.

Fiston cut in from the left before sending a long shot into the box but APR missed the opportunity to equalize with Mustapha off his line, there was no one in the box.

Both sides made changes at the beginning of the second half with Janvier Benedata replacing Djihad Bizimana in midfield while Simon Msuva came on for Amissi Tambwe for Yanga.

APR piled pressure on Yanga from the onset and were unlucky in the 65th minute when a Patrick Sibomana cornerkick was punched away by Mustapha before Nkizingabo’s rebound was cleared away.

Thaban Kamusoko then doubled Yanga’s lead in the 71st minute to punish the army side as the visitors looked to seal victory in Kigali.

Hans Van Der Pluijm then replaced his captain of the day Haruna Niyonzima with former APR defender Mbuyu Twite as APR also introduced Ismael Nshutiyamagara for Michel Rusheshangoga.

APR did not give up and continued pressing upfront and indeed a late surge saw Patrick Sibomana slot home a consolation goal in the 93rd minute to keep his side’s hopes alive ahead of the return leg next weekend in Dar es Salaam.

The winner of this tie will face the winner between Egyptian giants Al Ahly or Angola’s Recreativo do Libolo in the second round.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com