The preliminary round of the CAF Champions League has been thrown into uncertainty after Rwandan powerhouse APR FC officially declared they will not travel to Kinshasa to face AS Aigles du Congo, citing serious health and security risks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rwandan champions have formally decided to petition the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to have the two-legged tie moved to a neutral venue. According to Radio Okapi, APR FC’s Moroccan head coach, Abderrahim Taleb, announced the club's decision on Sunday, August 9, just over 72 hours after the official interclub competition draw was conducted.
Taleb confirmed that the team's refusal is strictly motivated by the ongoing Ebola outbreak and the volatile security situation currently affecting parts of the DRC. Furthermore, the club has made it clear that they are also unwilling to host the return leg in Kigali, requesting that CAF find an alternative, neutral location for both fixtures to ensure the safety of all parties involved.
Despite the looming administrative uncertainty, Taleb insisted that his technical staff remains fully committed to the team's sporting preparation. The Moroccan tactician stated that the squad is continuing its training regimen as usual and is keeping a close watch on the progress of their Congolese opponents.
Aigles du Congo Step Up Preparations in Tanzania
On the other side of the draw, AS Aigles du Congo are pressing ahead with their pre-season schedule undeterred. The Congolese outfit is currently staging a training camp in Tanzania and showcased their readiness by securing an impressive 2-1 victory over Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga) in a friendly match played at the Uhuru Stadium on Sunday.
Match Schedule Pending CAF Decision
The double-header is currently slated for September, with the first leg originally scheduled to take place in Kinshasa during the weekend of September 4–7, 2026. The return leg was provisionally set for Rwanda the following weekend, from September 11–13.
However, with APR FC’s formal request now submitted, the ball is firmly in CAF's court. The African football governing body must now deliberate on the Rwandan club's safety concerns and decide the final venue and scheduling for this crucial preliminary-round clash.
