Saturday

Rwanda 2-3 MozambiqueTanzania 0 - 2 EgyptBurundi 0 - 2 SenegalSouth Sudan 0 - 3 MaliSierra Leone 1 - 0 SudanNamibia 1 - 0 NigerGambia 0 - 4 South AfricaBotswana 1 - 2 UgandaGuinea-Bissau 3 - 2 Zambia

Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, ended on Saturday after Amavubi lost 3-2 to Mozambique at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

Skipper Elias Gaspar Pelembe gave the Mambas the lead as early as the ninth minute with a long range shot that beat Amavubi goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye but Jacques Tuyisenge equalized for the hosts in the 36th minute on a rebound after Jean Claude Iranzi’s shot had been saved by stopper Jose Ventura Guirurgo.

The visitors went 2-1 up on the stroke of half time through Apson David Manjate—the goal came after good play between Luis Jose Mlquissone and Reginaldo Arthur Fait.

Tuyisenge equalized again for Amavubi in the 77th minute, only for Pelembe to score his second goal of the match and Mozambique’s 3rd two minute later, to impair Rwanda’s chances of qualifying for the finals tournament.

Johnny McKinstry’s side had a lot of chances to win the game but were undone by the wastefulness of Tuyisenge, Iranzi and second half substitute Danny Usengimana.

"This is a big loss for us, it is hard to take. Today we didn’t defend as well as we usually do when playing at home; we have been inconsistent in the game. Now we have to focus on the next game against Ghana but today we have lost three very important points,” Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima said.

The play maker added that, "Of course we must take the blame for today’s disappointment; we have not done our work, which make qualification very complicated. Honestly, our chances have reduced significantly, but we will go into the final game against Ghana aiming to win.”

At full time, fans booed the players off the field, and Haruna says, they have every right to jeer the team. "The fans are right to boo us because we failed to live up to the standard that we set in the last qualifier against Mauritius.”

Rwanda thumped Mauritius 5-0 in their previous Group H qualifier at Amahoro stadium, a result that raised expectations a little too high.

Central defender Abdul Rwatubyaye should have scored after a Muhadjir Hakizimana’s free kick found him lurking unmarked in the goal area.

Amavubi’s first clear opening came in the 25th minute when Tuyisenge fumbled with the ball long enough for Mozambique defenders to clear the danger from the 18-yard box.

Hakizimana and Usengimana wasted another chances, this time placing their shots wide with the Mambas helplessly looking on.

Silva Costa Xavier’s team enjoyed possession in the midfield with their tiki-taka style of play that left defenders Rwatubyaye, Abouba Sibomana, Michel Rusheshangoga and Emery Bayisenge having a busy afternoon.

Rwanda needed to win the game to boost their chances to qualify for the second time, following their debut appearance back in 2004 in Tunisia.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw