Yesterday

Rwanda        3-1       Ethiopia

Sept. 5

Rwanda        vs         Ghana

Rwanda national football team saw off Ethiopia 3-1 in an international friendly game played yesterday at Amahoro Stadium to make for superb preparation ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana on September 5.

Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima beat defender Ephrem Ashamo at the corner flag before cutting in on the inside to send a long pass into the penalty box that saw Ernest Sugira rise above Degen Tekalign to find the back of the net with a fantastic header leaving goalkeeper Abel Mamo helpless.

Ashamo had earlier set a long range shot from 30 yards that went wide for Ethiopia’s first attempt at goal in the fourth minute. He later tested goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera with another shot on target minutes later that went into the young custodian’s hands.

Amavubi continued pressing upfront and Sugira came close again when he sent a low shot that went inches off the woodwork.

The Walia Ibex responded with midfielder Panom Gathuoch sending a defence splitting pass to forward Omod Okwury whose left foot touch ended up a mere pass to keeper Olivier Kwizera.

Another good run on the right flank orchestrated by Niyonzima in a one-two with Jacques Tuyisenge saw the latter send a great pass into the penalty box but Sugira’s attempted volley went wide.

In the 37^th minute, Amavubi came close once again when Niyonzima sent another superb pass into the box to find Patrick Sibomana 10 yards from goal but his shot went inches off the bar.

Ethiopia equalized four minutes later with Baye Gezagn Gebire sending a shot at goal that tipped over Kwizera who seemed to want to hold the ball but it slipped over.

In the second half, Tuyisenge headed home from Celestin Ndayishimiye’s well-taken pass into the box to reinstate Rwanda’s lead.

Eight minutes later substitute Jean Claude Iranzi, who had replaced Yannick Mukunzi, set a superb free kick into the box for Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza to head home Rwanda’s third goal to grant the hosts a 3-1 victory.

Ethiopia’s Girma Aschalew had acres of space to make his attempt count but his shot went wide off the mark as Walia Ibex struggled to break down Amavubi defence.

Rwanda will face Ghana on September 5 in their second AFCON Group H qualifier while Ethiopia travel to Seychelles for their Group J encounter, having defeated Lesotho 2-1 in their opener in Addis Ababa.

Sugira scored Rwanda’s lone strike against Mozambique in the opener to grant the Amavubi three points, behind table leaders Ghana on goal difference after the Black Stars thrashed Mauritius 7-1.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw