Five players who can decide AS Kigali, ASAS Djibouti tie
Thursday, September 15, 2022
AS Kigali striker Shaban Husein Shabalala goes past a defender of ASAS Djibouti Telecom club during the first leg match in Djibouti. The Burundian forward is one of the players to watch out for in the return leg. Photo: Courtesy.

AS Kigali will have to be at their best on Sunday when they host ASAS Djibouti Telecom in the second leg of the first preliminary round of the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup.

The City of Kigali sponsored club was held to a goalless draw in the first leg in Djibouti and they are hoping to eliminate them on home soil this weekend.

Times Sport takes a look at five players who could decide the outcome of this encounter.

Shabani Hussein

He is the most in form striker in the Rwandan league currently and will be instrumental if his side is to get a win in Huye.

The Burundian forward is a ruthless finisher who can decide the outcome of a game on any day.

He was heavily policed in the first leg but will be keen to impress before the club’s fans.

Gabriel Dadzie

In Dadzie, ASAS Djibouti Telecom have a real goal poacher who can cause problems for defenders on any day.

The Ghanaian import has been the top scorer in the Djiboutian league in the past two seasons while playing for AS Arta and he is not new to CAF competitions.

The AS Kigali defenders should watch keenly Dadzie as he could cause havoc when left loose.

Haruna Niyonzima

The AS Kigali skipper was his side’s best player in the first leg with some wonderful displays and is expected to be in the thick of affairs again on Sunday.

Haruna is the fulcrum of the AS Kigali team and a lot will depend on him if his side is to record a win.

If Haruna has a good day, expect AS Kigali to kill the game even in the first half.

Yussif Abdallah

One of the outstanding defenders in the first leg, Abdallah kept AS Kigali striker Shabani Hussein at bay for 90 minutes as he defended gallantly.

The towering guardsman will be hoping to hold Hussein again and if he is able to succeed in Huye it could go a long way to determine the outcome of the encounter.

Lawrence Juma

An efficient central midfielder, the Kenyan international has been in fine form since joining AS Kigali in August 2022.

He has cemented his place in the AS Kigali midfield and remains one of their key men.

An excellent display in midfield on Sunday will see AS Kigali controlling the game.