Sunday

Second LegKenya vs Rwanda

RWANDA national women’s football team will be looking to build on their first leg score when they take on Kenya in the second leg of the preliminary round of qualifiers for this year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations. The tournament will run from October 15 to 25 in Namibia. 

The team depart for Kenya this morning determined to finish-off the job in the decisive match scheduled for this Sunday at Machakos county stadium in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Rwanda needs a win to proceed to the next round where they will play the winner of the Nigeria/Sierra Leone fixture.

Despite winning the first leg 1-0 on February 16 in Kigali, head coach Grace Nyinawumuntu says she will not take any chances.

"Regardless of the scores from the first leg, it’s always going to be hard playing against Kenyans, who are more experienced compared to our team,” Nyinawumuntu said on Wednesday.

Asked about her approach to the game, she said, "Our mission will not be defending the first leg score, but rather to try to add to it, if we can get an early goal, it will go a long way to help us to settle. I expect them (Kenya) to come all out to attack in search for goals, so we have to be focused from start to finish.”

The coach said she was confident the team is mentally prepared and ready to make their country proud.

However, on the down side, Nyinawumuntu’s two key players; Shadia Uwamahirwe and Anne Marie Ibangarye may not make the first line up for the Sunday clash as both are nursing what the coach described as "minor” knee injuries.  But, the coach is hopeful the duo would be fit in time to play a part in Sunday’s crucial game.

Full 18-player squad

Judith Ingabire Nyirabashyitsi, Helene Uwizeyimana, Sifa Gloria Nibagwire, Clementine Mukamana, Marie Claire Uwamahoro, Edith Umulisa, Alice Kalimba, Shadia Uwamahirwe, Sophia Niyomugaba, Alice Niyoyita, Nadia Uwineza and Yvonne Mukamaliza.

Others are: Saida Ntagisanimana, Djamilla Abimana, Marie Jeanne Nyirahafashimana, Anne Marie Ibangarye and albertine Mukeshimana, jeannette Mukashema.