Rwanda's military forced to apologise after Gor Mahia's 5-0 rout of APR
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 27.07.26. | 20:21
APR are not only Rwanda's most successful club but are also owned by the Rwanda Defence Force
Gor Mahia's ruthless 5-0 demolition of APR FC triggered an extraordinary response in Rwanda, with the military-backed club's top brass forced into a public apology after one of the heaviest defeats in the club's recent history.
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After K'Ogalo tore apart the Rwandan champions in the opening match of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup on Friday, APR Honorary Deputy Chairman and Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Mubarakh Muganga addressed angry supporters, admitting the team's display had fallen far below the standards expected of the country's biggest club.
The apology came amid growing outrage from APR supporters, who had expected the club's heavily reinforced squad to launch both their Kagame Cup and CAF Champions League preparations with authority, only to watch Gor Mahia produce a devastating masterclass.
"To APR FC fans and football lovers who came to support us in the opening match of the CECAFA Kagame Cup, on behalf of APR FC, I sincerely apologise for ruining the start of the tournament for you," Gen. Muganga said during an appearance on Radio Rwanda.
The senior military officer revealed the scale of the embarrassment inside the club, disclosing that he immediately summoned the players and technical bench after the final whistle to account for the humiliating collapse.
"The players performed very poorly. Immediately after the match, I met the coaches and players and clearly told them that their performance was unacceptable."
The crisis meeting ended with the squad apologising to the club's leadership and supporters while promising to make amends in the remaining group matches.
"The players and coaches apologised and pledged to fight for victory. On behalf of the entire APR FC family, I once again ask for your forgiveness and invite you to come and witness the players fulfil that promise."
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The public apology underlines the magnitude of Gor Mahia's victory. APR are not only Rwanda's most successful club but are also owned by the Rwanda Defence Force, meaning defeats of this nature often attract scrutiny far beyond the football pitch.
Charles Akonnor's side needed little invitation to expose the hosts. Assistant captain Mike Kibwage broke the deadlock before Patrick Essombe doubled the advantage just two minutes later to leave APR shell-shocked at halftime.
The second half offered no respite as debutants Paul Okoth and Lesley Otieno joined substitute Ebenezer Assifuah-Inkoom on the scoresheet to complete a stunning five-goal rout that has left APR searching for answers and their military leadership publicly seeking forgiveness from supporters.
APR must now respond against Djibouti's Garde Républicaine FC on Monday.