2015 Afcon Qualifiers

Second Round ResultsSeychelles - Sierra Leone (0-2) | *Seychelles withdrew, S. Leone qualifyGuinea-Bissau 1-1 Botswana (0-2) | *Botswana qualify 3-1 on aggregateRwanda 2-0 Congo (0-2) | *Rwanda qualify 4-3 on penaltiesMalawi 1-0 Bénin (0-1) | *Malawi qualify 4-3 on penaltiesKenya 0-0 Lesotho (0-1) | *Lesotho qualify 1-0 on aggregateMozambique 2-1 Tanzania (2-2) | *Mozambique qualify 4-3 on aggregate

Amavubi head coach Stephen Philipe Constantine has hailed his players after over running Congo Brazaville to reach the final round of the qualifying series for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015.

Rwanda emerged top in penalties after overturning the first leg result before wrapping up the tie with a 4-3 win in spot kicks.

It was courtesy of the heroic performance by goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye that powered Rwanda through to the group phase at the expense Congo. 

A spectacular second half performance from the Amavubi gave Rwanda a 2-0 win over Congo. Michel Ndahinduka broke the deadlock on 52 minutes before Meddie Kagere capitalised on a defensive lapse by the visitors to score the second goal seven minutes to the final whistle to  take the game to penalties after a 2-2 tie. 

Ndayishimiye saved three kicks by the Congolese – Ferebory Dore Mael, Francis Lepicier and Herman Lakolop whilst James Tubane, Jimmy Mbaraga, Emery Bayisenge and Patrick Sibomana scored for the Amavubi to cruise to a 4-3 win. 

"First I would like to congratulate the players who did a fantastic job from start to finish. We had many problems in this build-up but we have managed to overcome all the problems we had and I really appreciate the work that they did. It was absolutely an outstanding performance,” Constantine said.

Constantine added: "I would also like to thank the president of Ferwafa for appointing me as the head coach of Amavubi. It’s a moment of pride for me. I think we deserved to win the game and I would also like to thank Rwandans because this is not all about me but it’s about every Rwandan.” 

Asked about the secret behind the win, the coach said he didn’t change anything tactically adding that, "We just felt we needed to put pressure on them because we knew their defenders would make mistakes and that’s exactly what happened. My boys gave everything they had. They deserved this and I think it’s a fantastic moment for everybody in Rwanda,” 

Next on agenda

"We have six very difficult games against very good opponents which we are going to plan for. They will not be easy but when they come here, they will have something to be afraid of that’s what I know for sure. 

Rwanda advance to Group A of the final round of qualifiers, where they will be battling South Africa, Nigeria and Sudan to book their spot for the competition’s finals in Morocco.