Monday
Burundi 3-4 Rwanda
Rwanda U17 football team head coach, Yves Rwasamanzi, has hailed his young troops after edging Burundi 4-3 on Monday to reach the semi-finals of the CECAFA- CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
"This is a good step forward for our young boys, we have won two games and qualified for the semi-finals. I am happy with that, but we need to be ready for the last game against the hosts so we can get maximum points in the group,” Rwasamanzi said after the game.
Amavubi Starlets snatched an early lead in the 22nd minute through Moise Nyarugabo following a defensive blunder while Burundi equalised after four minutes through Arsene Iradukunda.
Rodrigue Isingizwe and Keddy Nsanzimfura scored the second and third goals in the 42nd and 45th minutes. Which saw Rwanda go into half time leading 3-1.
In the second half, Moise Nyarugabo snatched the fourth goal for Rwanda in the 51st minute and his fourth in the competition.
However, six minutes later, Edson Munaba scored the second goal for Burundi before Flavier Iratanga scored the third goal.
"It is good to be at this stage (semi-finals) but we need to be more aggressive in the games ahead so that we can reach the final – and win the tournament. We have to give our best in this tournament because want to qualify for the Africa Cup of nations,” the Rwanda U17 coach added.
With fifteen minutes to the end of the game, Rwanda was reduced to ten men after Jean Ishimwe received a second yellow card.
With one game remaining against Tanzania, which will be played on Tuesday, August 21, Rwanda is already assured of a place in the last four with a maximum six points having won their opening match 3-1 against South Sudan.
The qualifiers of the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations were modified early this year, with each of the six zones playing at their backyard to produce the winners that will contest for the Cup next year.
Tanzania has a direct ticket to the tournament by virtue of being the host nation.
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