Friendly match

Today

DR Congo Vs Rwanda

2020 CHAN Qualifier

September 22

Ethiopia Vs Rwanda

Rwanda take on DR Congo in a warm-up match today at the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa as both teams prepare for their respective 2020 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) final round qualifiers.

It is the first time the two teams face off since January 2016 in the quarter-finals of the 4th CHAN finals edition at Amahoro Stadium, which the Leopards of DR Congo won 2-1 en route to lifting their second CHAN title.

After the warm-up game, head coach Vincent Mashami and his team will fly to Ethiopia on Thursday ahead of their first-leg clash against Ethiopia, that is due Sunday at Mekelle Stadium, with the reverse-leg scheduled for October 18 at Kigali Stadium.

The winner of the two-legged tie will automatically secure their spot at the 2020 CHAN finals, one of the three tickets allocated to the Cecafa region in the continent’s second biggest football tournament.

According to Mashami, Wednesday’s friendly match will help him to observe and assess his players before naming his starting line-up on Sunday. The team traveled Monday night with 23 players.

Rwanda look to make their fourth appearance in the CHAN tournament, which is only reserved for players who feature in their respective domestic leagues.

In the meantime, DR Congo – the only side to have won CHAN title more than once – will be up against the Central African Republic in the quest for their fifth appearance in tournament, having only missed the 2018 edition in Morocco.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com