International friendly match

Today, 3.30pm

Rwanda vs Gabon

FOOTBALL FANS are optimistic Rwanda could make their second appearance at the 2015 Africa Nations Cup final in Morocco if Fifa maintains its ban on champions Nigeria.

Mid this week, Fifa suspended Nigeria’s Football Association (NFF) following the government’s interference in the management of the federation. This happened shortly after the Super Eagles were knocked-out in the round of 16 at the World Cup.

With the ban in place, all teams at club or national level in Nigeria will not be allowed to compete in any football competitions.

Should Amavubi go past Congo-Brazzaville and qualify to the group stage of the qualification campaign, they would be placed alongside South Africa, and Sudan. 

Local football fans believe that the absence of Nigeria could boost chances for Rwanda to make it to Morocco next year.

Théoneste Murego, a third-year student at University of Rwanda- Huye Campus told Saturday Sports, "If we (Rwanda) are to go past Congo-Brazzaville, Nigeria would surely be our major barrier in the group stage qualifiers. I wish they are kept banned”

Ernest ‘Nesta’ Mugwiza, a student at Mount Kenya University said, "The biggest huddle for Amavubi now is to beat Congo, if they go through and Nigeria is still suspended then we stand a big chance of appearing in the continental meet for our second time”

Bienvenue Mvugonziza, Amavubi stars diehard based in North Carolina, USA said, "Normally, celebrating a neighbour’s funeral is not good but I do agree that Amavubi stars would rise if Nigeria is kept sanctioned”

Amavubi face Gabon in an international friendly match today at Kigali Regional Stadium before traveling to Congo-Brazzaville for the first-leg match slated for July 20 in Pointe-Noir.

They will then play Gabon in a second friendly match on July 24 before hosting Congo-Brazzaville in the return leg on august 2. 

The winner over the two legs will seal an automatic place in the group stages.