International Build up Game

YesterdayRwanda 1-0 Gabon

Afcon Qualifier

July 20Congo vs Rwanda

A FIRST HALF strike from Jacques Tuyisenge helped Amavubi seal a win over Les Pantheres of Gabon in a Fifa international match played yesterday at Kigali regional stadium.

The Police FC striker scored a delightful header on the 20th minute from Haruna Niyonzima’s cross.

Amavubi head coach Stephen Constantine used the crucial game to prepare for next week’s 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville that will be staged away in Pointe-Noire on July 20.

Jérôme Sina, Jean Claude Iranzi and Emery Bayisenge had good chances on goal but couldn’t put them to good use.

Gabon’s closest attempts came from Engonga Obame Franck and Yakouya Lionel only to be saved by Jean Claude Ndoli, who was excellent in goal.

Amavubi defence displayed a solid performance with Rwanda dominating the first half. Gabon improved in the second half but couldn’t break through a well mounted defence led by Ismail Nshutiyamagara and Emery Bayisenge.

Gabon played with their new head coach Jorge Paulo Costa Almeida sitting in the stands watching closely the team that interim coach Claude Mbourounot lined up against Rwanda.

Almeida, a former Porto Fc manager has been given a two-year contract to ensure that Gabon qualifies for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup final to be held in Morocco.

The Les Panthères, who are ranked 89th in the world, are in Group C alongside Angola, Burkina Faso and the winner who will step forward between Kenya and Lesotho.

Amavubi will now shift attention to next week’s game against Congo-Brazzaville where a good result would leave the national team in pole position ahead of the second leg.

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

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