Amavubi stars eye first win against Cameroon

Amavubi stars will face Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a warm-up match today at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District as the two teams prepare for the upcoming Africa Nation’s Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Rayon Sports defender Fiston Munezero, seen here during Sunday's training match, is one of the new players that have impressed in camp. (Courtesy)

Friendly match

Today

Rwanda            vs       Cameroon    3:30pm

Sunday

Rwanda            vs       DRC                

Amavubi stars will face Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a warm-up match today at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District as the two teams prepare for the upcoming Africa Nation’s Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Rwanda continues intensive preparations in Rubavu and on Sunday the national team played a training match between team A and B, which ended 3-0 in favour of Amavubi B.

"It has been good preparations for us and players are fighting hard to be part of CHAN. I am impressed with how they are responding,” Amavubi head coach Johnny McKinstry told the reporters in Rubavu on Sunday.

Some of the new players that have impressed in the training include’ midfielders Muhadjir Hakizimana, Rachid Kalisa and Muhamed Nshimiyimana as well as forwards Kevin Muhire and Innocent Habyarimana.

Rwanda and Cameroon have played six times in past 40 years, with Cameroon winning 4 games while the other two clashes ended in a draw.

Cameroon head coach Martin Felix Ndtoungou Mpile said, "We are going to meet a very good team (Rwanda). I know they will give us hard time but this game will help us to continue our preparations and see our level of playing before the tournament.”

The first game between both sides was played on July 7, 1976 where Rwanda was humiliated at home 5-0 in Central African Games, and the second meeting was on December 27 1977, also Rwanda was thrashed by Cameroon 0-4 at home in international friendly match.

On January 26, 2003 Rwanda managed to play a goalless draw against Cameroon in All Africa Games qualifiers first leg.

Cameroon beat Rwanda 3-0 at Amahoro stadium on September 3, 2006 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and 2-1 on June 16, 2007.

On Sunday, Rwanda will play the last friendly against DR Congo before returning to Kigali ahead of their CHAN Group A opening match against Ivory Coast on January, 16 at Amahoro stadium.