Anything can happen - Niyonzima

Rwanda’s U-20 team captain Haruna Niyonzima is adamant that anything can happen in their quest to qualify for the Fifa World Youth Championship due in Egypt in September.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Rwanda’s U-20 team captain Haruna Niyonzima is adamant that anything can happen in their quest to qualify for the Fifa World Youth Championship due in Egypt in September.

However, Rwanda’s skipper cautioned his teammates to be focused on the challenge ahead as they seek to become the first lot to qualify for the world event.

"We’re in a tough group with strong teams and any slight mistake can result in a worst case scenario.

"That means we should all be focused and ready for anything. We should avoid committing mistakes if we are to win against Cameron and Ghana,” noted the APR midfielder.

He added, "These two teams (Ghana and Cameroon) are strong enough but any mistake can be regrettable especially at this stage of the tournament.”

Hosts Rwanda claimed victory 2-1 victory against Mali in Group A as Jean Mugiraneza put Rwanda into the lead in the seventh minute of the match.  Sow Samba of Mali equalized 20 minutes later, but Elias Uzamukunda banged the winner.

Rwanda needs to win against Cameroon to be assured of a place not only in the semifinal of the African championship but also at next year’s World Youth Championship set to be held in Cairo, Egypt.

The four semi-finalists from the tournament in Rwanda will automatically qualify for the 2009 Under-20 World Cup to be played in Egypt.

If hosts Egypt reach the last four in Rwanda then the 5th placed team will qualify for the Under-20 World Cup.

Ends