We are ready for Nigeria, says Nyinawumuntu

RWANDA women football national team head coach Marie Grace Nyinawumuntu is convinced her side is ready to handle the Super Falcons of Nigeria when both nations face off this month.

Friday, May 09, 2014
Amavubi head coach Grace Nyinawumuntu addressing the media on Tuesday. T. Kisambira

Build-up match

May 13

Zambia vs. Rwanda

AWC qualifier

May 24

Rwanda vs. Nigeria

RWANDA women football national team head coach Marie Grace Nyinawumuntu is convinced her side is ready to handle the Super Falcons of Nigeria when both nations face off this month.

Rwanda host Nigeria in the first leg of Africa Women championship in Kigali on May 24 while the second leg will be played in Abuja on June 7.

As part of preparations for the upcoming continental qualifier, Rwanda plays away to Zambia next week to access the level of their team.

Head coach Nyinawumuntu said, "We are having good preparations and players are fit and healthy, we are not taking anything for granted as far as preparing for Nigeria is concerned,”

"We know our opponents are stronger but we are ready for the challenge. Our aim is to get better results in every game we play,”

Build-up match

The She Wasps will travel to Lusaka on Sunday ahead of a build up game against Zambia on Tuesday.

"We want to use the Zambia game to check on the fitness level. Zambia is a good side which boats of international players who have even played at the World Cup finals. The game will be vital for us to prepare for the Nigeria match,” added the AS Kigali women’s club coach.

Zambia beat Tanzania to set up a final round clash against neighbors Zimbabwe, who also ousted Botswana in the earlier round.

Rwanda saw off Kenya in the first round of qualifiers a month ago on an away-goal advantage after a 2-2 aggregate.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have intensified their preparations by playing a match against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon whom they defeated 1-0 in a match played in Abuja over the weekend.

Both teams are preparing for the African Women Championship in Namibia which also serves as the qualifying competition for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. While Nigeria has a date with Rwanda, Cameroon will face Senegal.

In recent years, Nigeria has been the best female team in Africa – while they had some problems due to the same aged players between 2011 and 2012, the team now has a lot of young girls as way of thinking about the future.