Fixtures

Jan. 16

Group A (Amahoro stadium)

Rwanda             vs       Ivory Coast       3pm

Gabon                vs       Morocco             6pm

Jan. 17

Group B (Huye stadium)

DR Congo          vs       Ethiopia             3pm

Angola               vs       Cameroon          6pm

Jan. 18

Group C (Kigali Regional Stadium)

Tunisia               vs       Guinea                  3pm

Nigeria               vs       Niger                     6pm

Jan. 19

Group D (Umuganda stadium)

Zimbabwe        vs       Zambia                 3pm

Mali                    vs       Uganda                 6pm

Amavubi players have promised Rwandans that they will try their best to at least reach the final of upcoming Africa National Championship (CHAN) which kicks off on Saturday with hosts Rwanda taking on Cote d’Ivoire at Amahoro National Stadium.

Amavubi returned to Kigali on Monday a day after picking a 1-0 win against DR Congo in an international friendly on Sunday evening at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu.

Skipper Jacques Tuyisenge scored the lone goal of the game in the 49th minute off a brilliant cross by full back, Fitina Ombolenga.

DR Congo dominated the first half with attempts from Hertier Lumbu Nzinga and Guy Basisila Lusadisu, but failed to beat goalie Eric Ndayishimiye.

After beating Les Leopards 1-0, Amavubi skipper Tuyisenge said the players are fired up to give their best to make Rwandans proud at the upcoming tournament on home soil.

Tuyisenge said, "We have big ambitions in this tournament, and the players are committed and hungry to win. We are ready to give all we have to reach the final, and that’s our goal in this tournament.”

His teammate Djihad Bizimana, who put on a man of the match performance against Florent Ibenge’s DR Congo side, said that they are in good shape to give Rwandans happiness.

"We know that once we are there, then the title will be there for us to lose. However, our primary objective is to bag maximum points in our group to ensure that we go past the group stage,” the holding midfielder said.

Assistant skipper Emery Bayisenge, who has recently regained his top form, said that they are in a strong position to reach the final.

"I ask Rwandans to support us because we have had the best preparations and guidance to do better. Our task now is to go out and fulfill our mission of ensuring a positive start to the tournament,” noted Bayisenge, 21.

Amavubi defence of Emery Bayisenge, Faustin Usengemana, Mwemere Ngirinshuti and Ombolenga were brilliant in keeping a clean sheet against Congo and Cameroon. Johnny McKinstry’s side drew 1-1 with Cameroon last Wednesday.

This is Rwanda’s second victory over the CHAN 2009 winners with Amavubi also having beaten DR Congo 1-0 in Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 in Tunisia.

The CHAN fourth edition, a tournament reserved for home-based players, will attract 16 teams, including Rwanda, the host of the biennial tournament, the second biggest football showpiece on the continent.