2015 Afcon Qualifier

SundayLibya vs. Rwanda

AMAVUBI interim head Coach Andre Cassa Mbungo is optimistic of snatching a positive result in the first round of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier tie against Libya on Sunday at the 65000-seater Stade Olympique on the outskirts of Tunis.

The AS Kigali tactician said in a news briefing held at Ferwafa headquarters in Remera yesterday that though Libya is a strong team, Amavubi will go into Sunday’s game in Tunisia with a mission to secure a positive result.

"Libya is a strong squad, ranked in the top 65 worldwide and they have vast experience more than our team. We are going to confront them with a determined mood such that we can register positive results in the first leg,” Cassa Mbungo said.

Cassa Mbungo noted that if Amavubi eliminate Libya, the victory will push Rwanda into the top 100 in Fifa rankings.

"I think qualification to the next round is possible and we are going to fight until the end such that we can realise our dream of restoring the lost pride of our nation in as far as football is concerned,” added Cassa Mbungo.

Amavubi left Kigali for Tunis today at dawn (01.00) with 20 players aboard Turkish Airlines. They are expected to be in Tunis later in the evening.

The squad includes three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and six strikers.

Cassa Mbungo might rely on the hope that the tactics he used during the Confederation Cup to send AS Kigali into the 1/8th round, work for Amavubi in the upcoming qualifiers.

Early this year, AS Kigali was knocked out of the 2014 Africa Confederation Cup after suffering a 3-0 return leg defeat against Difaa El Jadida in the second leg of the 1/8th round.

To reach this stage, AS Kigali, who were playing in this competition for the second time since making their debut in 2002, had eliminated Burundian side Academie Tchite and Sudanese Al Ahly Shendi.

Amavubi will be going for a draw or a win against Spanish Janvier Clemente’s Mediterranean Knights in the first leg before hosting the return leg on May 30 in Kigali with the winner of the two-legged encounter facing either Namibia or the Republic of Congo in the next round.

Libya has reigned over Rwanda in their last two meetings. They beat Rwanda 2-0 and 1-0 in two friendly matches played separately in 2012 and 2013 under Milutin Sredojovic Micho’s reign.

Because of insecurity in Libya, the Knights will host the Amavubi at Stade Olympique on the outskirts of Tunis.

However, Libyan footballers are used to such difficulties having qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup after playing home games in Mali and Egypt.

After winning the African Nation Championship (Chan) for home-based footballers in South Africa in February under Spanish coach Javier Clemente, Libya will go into this game with a lot of confidence.

Goalkeeper Mohamed Abdaula, defender and Captain Ali Salama and midfielder Mohamed El Gadi were included in the Chan team for the tournament.

A setback for the Knights is the possible absence of players from Al-Ahly Benghazi because the Cup of Nations qualifiers clash with match day one of the Caf Champions League.

Should Rwanda go through in both rounds, they will book a place in Group A, to face the likes of defending champions Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

Amavubi squad:

Goalkeepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Jean Claude Ndoli and Emery Mvuyekure.  

Defenders: James Tubane, Emery Bayisenge, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Michel Rusheshangoga and Abouba Sibomana

Midfielders: Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Leon Uwambaziman, Djamal Mwiseneza, Haruna Niyonzima and Rodrique Murengezi  

Strikers: Meddie Kagere, Michel Ndahinduka, Daddy Birori, Elias Uzamukunda, Jacques Tuyisenge and Jimmy Mbaraga.