Saturday

Rwanda vs Mozambique (Amahoro Stadium)Mauritius vs Ghana (Belle Vue)

Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima has urged his teammates to be more focused ahead of Group H 2017AFCON qualifier against Mozambique at the Amahoro National Stadium tomorrow.

Amavubi will be looking to register maximum points to edge closer to Rwanda’s second participation at the continental tourney that attracts the big teams of Africa. The last time Rwanda played in AFCON finals was back in 2004.

"We have to give our best against Mozambique, and winning this game will give us more confidence and a chance of qualifying. We have a chance to earn points. We made a mistake against Mauritius but this time we don’t have to slip,” the 27-year-old said.

The Young Africans assistant captain added, "Against Mozambique, we need to be more focused, determined and also believe that we have the ability not only to beat them but also to qualify.”

The Amavubi captain believes a win against the Mambas will boost their chances even as they have the last group game away against Ghana in September.

Amavubi have been in intensive preparations in the last two weeks ahead of Saturday’s must-win Group H qualifier. Last Saturday, they lost 0-2 to Senegal in an international friendly.

The Group H leaders Ghana and AFCON 2015 finalists, with 10 points, will be playing against Mauritius and a win will book them a ticket in next year’s Africa is most precious football event. Amavubi are in second place with six points, and level on points with Mauritius but Rwanda has more goals.

The Mambas arrived in Kigali on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their 2017 Africa Nations’ Cup qualifier.The Abel Xavier’s side arrived with a 20-man squad and are staying at Umubano Hotel.

Abel Xavier will miss the services of some of his key players against Johnny McKinstry’s team, including Ronny Marcos (Greuther Fürth, Germany), Simão Mate (Levante U.D, Spain), Gildo (Ferroviário da Beira) and Edmilson (Ferroviário de Maputo).

In June last year, Rwanda beat Mozambique 1-0 in the first leg in Maputo to record their first away win in four years before losing to Ghana in September.

Amavubi then suffered a 1-0 loss to Mauritius in Belle Vue in March, but made a comeback three days later with a 5-0 humiliation of Mauritius.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw