Rwanda international Jean Baptiste ‘Migi’ Mugiraneza has backed Amavubi to reach at least the semi-finals of the 2016 Africa Nation’s Championship (CHAN), which gets underway in Kigali on Saturday.

Rwanda will take on Ivory Coast in the opening match at Amahoro Stadium before playing against other Group A opponents Gabon and Morocco later at the same venue.

The Azam defensive midfielder said: "It is a tough group that we are in, but I am confident they (players) will do well and progress all the way to, at least, the semi-finals. They are leaving nothing to chance and their preparations have been going well,”

"I know it will be difficult but they are capable of delivering at the big stage,” he said.

Mugiraneza, formerly with local giants APR, said for the Amavubi to sail though their group they need to target maximum points in their first game and then get something in each of their last two group games.

"The boys are playing from home and that’s a big advantage in football. Teams in Group A are tough, and the opponents are more experienced in this competition but that does not mean we can’t beat them, all we need is to approach every match with the right mentality,” the former La Jeunesse, SC Kiyovu star added.

Democratic Republic of Congo won the inaugural competition in 2009 that was staged in Ivory Coast while Tunisia were crowned champions in 2011 in Sudan before  Libya – who did not qualify for this year’s finals in Rwanda – won the third edition in South Africa.

CHAN 2016 matches will be played at four stadiums: Umuganda in Rubavu District, Huye in Huye District, Amahoro in Gasabo District, and Kigali Regional in Nyarugenge District.

CHAN is a biennial continental tournament which features national teams made up exclusively of locally based players, who were active in their national championships.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw