Saturday

Quarter-finals

Rwanda vs DR Congo 3pm (Amahoro stadium)Ivory Coast vs Cameroon 6pm (Huye stadium)

Amavubi head coach Johnny McKinstry has admitted that his players will have to be at their very best, if they are to beat DR Congo in their much anticipated quarter-final clash of the 2016 Africa Nations’ Championship (CHAN) on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium.

Rwanda has beaten DR Congo in their only two previous meetings, the most recent (1-0) coming three weeks ago in a warm-up game before the CHAN finals tournament kickoff.

"I said after the friendly in Rubavu that I felt DRC were one of the favourites for the tournament from the way they played that night.

Their opening games at CHAN have shown that opinion to be correct, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday to match them once again,” the 30-year-old told Times Sport.

McKinstry said that regardless of who the opponents were, the quarter-final of CHAN is a big game for all the players, "the fact that it is against the neighbours, and one of Africa’s best sides makes it even more important for the entire team.”

McKinstry, who is the first man to guide Amavubi into the knockout stages of a major competition, said that everything is good in camp. Monday was recovery day and the team returned to training on Tuesday, and on Thursday, the team was hosted by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.

"I think it will be a very intense game. DR Congo is probably the most difficult opponent we could have faced,” McKinstry said.

Jean-Florent Ibenge’s DR Congo, just like Amavubi, started the tournament in scintillating form, winning the first two group games before falling face down in the last group match.

"I am sure it will be an excellent game for the spectators; and potentially a game of the tournament with two teams giving everything possible, not only for a place in the semi-finals; but also to ensure local bragging rights in the region,” McKinstry explained.

Following a 1-0 win for Rwanda in a pre-CHAN friendly, Amavubi will be facing DR Congo for the third time since 2004 when Amavubi stung Les Leopards 1-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations’ group stage.

Meanwhile, the price of tickets for the match between Rwanda and DR Congo have been hiked from the usual price to double. VVIP ticket is going for Rwf20,000, VIP for Rwf10,000; Yellow Seats for Rwf4,000 and the rest of public seats, Rwf1000.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw