Wednesday

Group A

Rwanda vs  Gabon 3pmMorocco vs  Ivory Coast  6pm

Rwanda national football team head coach, Johnny Mckinstry has told his players to avoid being overtaken by the joy of winning their opening game against Ivory Coast, and focus on the next game against Gabon on Wednesday at Amahoro National Stadium.

Mckinstry’s youthful side defeated the West African giants 1-0 on Saturday to start the CHAN 2016 campaign on a high note. The lone goal was scored by APR FC central defender, Emery Bayisenge from a beautiful free-kick in the 16th minute.

Hosts Rwanda will be aiming to continue the winning streak against Gabon, a side that beat them (1-0) last year in an international friendly in Kigali. In the last six meetings between both teams, Rwanda has won three games and lost three.

"I am very pleased with the results today against a good Cote d’Ivoire team. It’s the first time we have picked up a win in a CHAN competition, and that definitely gives the players morale ahead of the two next games," the 30-year-old Mckinstry said on Saturday.

He added that, "Ivory Coast put us under a lot of pressure in the second half, but we stuck to our game plan. My team is young but has so much potential. What we need is consistency and we will continue to work hard before we meet Gabon and Morocco."

Bayisenge was denied a second goal by ‘Les Elephants’ goalie Ali Badra Sangare, who saved his penalty in the second half.

Rwanda will take on Gabon on Wednesday in the second fixture of Group A before Morocco meet Ivory Coast. Both games will be played at the Amahoro National Stadium.

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