The journey to the finals of World Cup and Nations’ Cup in South Africa and Angola starts today and the tension and excitement around town was beginning to build up yesterday ahead of Rwanda’s match against Algeria this afternoon at Amahoro stadium.

The Amavubi Stars, now more than ever, needs the full backing of its loyal fans and so the fans today will be expected to sing, yell and even to boo the opposition players, if that is what can get Branko Tucak and his army the three points.

Amavubi fans will have to borrow a leaf from the fans of famous European clubs, like Liverpool, Newcastle United, Inter Milan, Celtic, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The supporters of these clubs sing from the first minute to the very last. And they translate that loyalty to their national teams.

Times Sport moved around town yesterday to gauge the opinion of the fans in the streets ahead of today’s big clash.

Thierry Shema, a student in Lycée de Kigali and fan of Sports Club Kiyovu predicts a 1-0 win for Amavubi Stars and the only goal to be scored by striker Saidi Abedi Makasi.

Didier Uwamungu, an I.T consultant with Rwandatel and supporter of APR Football Club thinks the home team will win 2-0 with goals coming from Jimmy Gatete (if he plays) and team captain Olivier Karekezi.

Momo Ndamukuma, a bank clerk with BCR and a Rayon Sport fan reckons that Amavubi will be held to 1-1 draw with Rwanda’s goal coming from either Karekezi or Saidi Abedi.

Emmanuel Uwimana, a motorist and a Mukula Victory Sport supporter predicts a 2-0 win for Amavubi, and both goals to be scored by Saidi Abedi.

The general feeling among the fans on the street is that Tucak’s team has what it takes to beat Algeria’s Desert Fox just as it did with Morocco, Mauritania and Ethiopia (away) in the last qualifying round.

The Amavubi Stars defied odd when they beat the Atlas Lions 3-1 at Nyamirambo stadium and hammered Mauritania 4-0 at the same venue. They also stunned Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa.

Ends