Sunday

Ethiopia Vs Rwanda

AMAVUBI players will each receive US$4,000 (about Rwf3.6m) in bonus should Rwanda see off Ethiopia to qualify for the 2020 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) finals tournament.

Cameroon will host the CHAN finals next year, and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021.

Vincent Mashami’s Amavubi side take on the Walias of Ethiopia in the first leg at Mekelle Stadium on Sunday, with the decisive second leg due October 19 at Kigali Stadium.

The winner over the two legs will automatically secure a ticket to the 6th CHAN finals tournament. Rwanda is on the quest for a fourth appearance in the biennial tournament, having only missed the inaugural (2009) and 2014 editions.

According a source that preferred to remain anonymous, each of the 23 players on the squad has been promised at least Rwf3.6m, including Rwf900,000 for Wednesday’s victory against DR Congo in a friendly match and Rwf2.7 million if they manage to eliminate Ethiopia.

"We have promised them a US$3000 in bonus if we qualify for CHAN, plus US$1,000 for the victory against DR Congo,” the source confirmed.

Reports also suggest that the players earned US$2,000 each after edging out the Seychelles in FIFA World Cup qualifiers’ preliminary round.

Previously Rwanda qualified for the 2018 CHAN tournament, held in Morocco, after beating Ethiopia 3-2, thanks to goals from Abeddy Biramahire, Eric Rutanga, and Muhadjiri Hakizimana.

In the head-to-head record between Rwanda and Ethiopia, Rwanda won five and lost three times, while the two sides played out draws twice.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com