It’s a do or die for Amavubi

THE AMAVUBI coach has ordered  his team to be on the attack as soon as the first whistle goes off this afternoon at Kigali Regional Stadium as Rwanda takes on Libya in the return leg match of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Friday, May 30, 2014
Team captain Haruna Niyonzima, seen in action during yesterday's trainig session at Kigali Regional Stadium, is expected to start in the Amavubi midfield. T. Kisambira

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Rwanda   vs Libya   3:30pm

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THE AMAVUBI coach has ordered  his team to be on the attack as soon as the first whistle goes off this afternoon at Kigali Regional Stadium as Rwanda takes on Libya in the return leg match of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at Ferwafa headquarters in Remera, Stephen Constantine said his team will do everything to win the game. The first leg ended goalless two weeks ago in Tunis.

"We know it won’t be an easy game as we are going to face one of the best teams in Africa, but we are ready for the challenge, we will give everything to win the game.  We have big ambitions and will do everything to win,” Constantine said.

Constantine, who watched the first leg game from the stands, is likely to bring back team captain Haruna Niyonzima into the starting eleven, while APR winger Jean Claude Iranzi could also make a surprise start in the place of AS Cannes striker Alias Uzamukunda.

Uzamukunda played the first leg alongside Daddy Birori on the striking line but this time around he has requested to be left out of the return leg as he is currently looking for a new club. 

Vita Club striker Birori is expected to lead the attack alongside Rayon Sports forward Meddie Kagere. Full back Mwemere Ngirinshuti, who didn’t travel with team for the first leg, could be another surprise inclusion in the first team.

Constantine noted that Amavubi are  in good position because they didn’t lose in first game.  He called on Rwandans to come out in full force to support the team.

The former coach of Sudan added, "We are at home, which is something positive and we’re confident that we can beat them at our ground. And it could be the best start for me and a historic win for every Rwandan.”

Libya, who arrived in the country on Wednesday,  went through the final paces at Kigali Regional Stadium. The reigning Chan champions have beaten Rwanda twice before; 2-0 and 1-0 in two friendly matches played in 2012 and 2013.

The winner of the two-legged encounter will face either Namibia or the DR Congo in the next round and then whoever wins that tie will book a place in Group A, to face Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

Amavubi Stars probable line up:

Jean Claude Ndoli, Michael Rusheshangoga, Mwemere Ngirinshuti, Emery Bayisenge, Salomon Nirisarike, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Claude Iranzi, Jacques Tuyisenge and Daddy Birori and Meddie Kagere.