Saturday

Group A

Rwanda vs Ivory Coast 3pm SS9/RTVGabon vs Morocco 6pm SS9/RTV

Sunday

Group B

DR Congo vs Ethiopia 3pm

Amavubi (wasps) are ready to sting as they seek a first win in seven attempts against Ivory Coast when the two teams meet in the opening match of Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at Amahoro National Stadium this afternoon.

In the previous six meetings, Amavubi have only managed two draws and lost four times. Today’s game is a chance to end that trend against the reigning African (AFCON) champions.

The last meeting between the two teams in Kigali ended 5-0 in favour of the West African giants during the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

This is the second time Rwanda competes in Africa’s second biggest football tournament after debuting at the second edition staged in Sudan in 2011 where the team failed to go past the group stages.

It will be the third time for the Ivorians to compete in the  event after hosting the first edition in 2009 where they were eliminated in the group stage while in the 2011 edition they were eliminated before the knockout phase in Sudan.

Fresh from two impressive performances, against Cameroon and DR Congo in their last two friendly matches in the build-up to the CHAN finals, Amavubi will be aiming for a win to boost their morale ahead of the next two games against Gabon (January 24) and Morocco four days later.

"The team is in good spirits and players are also well prepared technically, physically and mentally for the challenge ahead,” coach Johnny McKinstry said on Thursday ahead of today’s clash.

The Northern Irishman added, "We know that being in the same group as Ivory Coast, Gabon and Morocco is a huge challenge with all three ranked higher than us by FIFA. However, we believe that we have what it takes to get points.”

The former Sierra Leone coach believes the games against Cameroon and DRC provided his youthful team an excellent test as both teams are expected to go far in the tournament.

"To play against such difficult opponents, and perform so well showed that the team is ready for the tournament.  It also gave the players confidence going into the opening game.”

In today’s other game, Gabon will face Morocco after the opener.

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Rwanda’s record vs Ivory Coast

Games won:        0

Games drawn:     2

Games lost:         4

Apr. 09, 2000       Rwanda vs Ivory Coast      D       2-2         FIFA World Cup

Apr. 23, 2000       Ivory Coast vs Rwanda      L       2-0          FIFA World Cup

Jan. 07, 2010       Rwanda vs Ivory Coast      L       0-2          International Friendly

Sep. 03, 2010      Ivory Coast vs Rwanda      D       0-0          Africa Cup of Nations

Sep. 04, 2010      Ivory Coast vs Rwanda      L       3-0          Africa Cup of Nations

Sep. 03, 2011          Rwanda vs Ivory Coast  L       0-5          Africa Cup of Nations

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