Rwanda Premier League reigning champions APR FC registered their first win on Wednesday at the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.

After losing their opening Group B match to Singida Fountain Gate FC, the army side returned to stop Zanzibar’s JKU SC 3-1 in a match played at the Amaan Stadium. Ramadhan Niyibizi scored in each half for APR FC, while Victor Mbaoma was also on the score sheet. Victor Saleh netted from the spot for JKU SC at the stroke of halftime.

In the second match, Simba SC outclassed last year’s runner-up Singida Fountain Gate FC 2-0 in another Group B match. The entertaining match ended goalless at halftime, but Simba SC got off the blocks quicker after the interval. Willy Onana and Luis Miquissone scored in the first 15 minutes to give Simba SC a comfortable lead as they dominated the match.

Simba SC’s second straight win sends them to the quarter-final stage to join Azam FC, Singida Fountain Gate, and Young Africans (Yanga SC). On Thursday Zanzibar giants and defending champions Mlandege FC will face Chipukizi United in a Group A match, while Young Africans SC take on KVZ FC in a Group C encounter.

The group stages of the Mapinduzi Cup organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) will climax on Friday, while the knock-out stage kicks off on January 7.