Rwanda host neighbours Uganda as the pair resume rivalry in Group E third match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, October 7.

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic and his Cranes arrived in Kigali on Wednesday, October 6, as he bids to upset the team he once coached between 2011 and 2013

As the pair prepares to go head-to-head at Kigali Stadium, Times Sport brings you key things you need to know about the much-anticipated World Cup fixture.

When and where will the game take place?

The much-anticipated match between Rwanda and Uganda kicks off 18h00 CAT at Kigali Stadium, Nyamirambo.

Are fans allowed in the stadium?

Despite the fact that the Ministry of Sports has given permission to the local football governing body to open doors to football fans to return to stadiums, fans are not be allowed to watch Rwanda’s clash against Uganda as per CAF’s existing preventive rules and regulations against the pandemic.  

Current form

Both Rwanda and Uganda have not had quite an impressive start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, having failed to win a single game during the past two outings.

Rwanda started the qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Mali in Bamako before being held to a 1-1 draw against Kenya.

Meanwhile, Uganda has drawn both of its past fixtures of the qualifiers; including a goalless draw against Kenya at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi before falling to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Mali at St Mary’s Kitende.

The last time the two teams met was in January when their match ended goalless during the opening group game of the 2021 African Nations Championships.

Team news:

Head coach Vincent Mashami will be without midfielder Djihadi Bizimana who tested positive for coronavirus during a routine test at his current club K.M.S.K. Deinze.

 He will, however, be hoping to get a good replacement for him in Sweden based midfield maestro Rafael York, who was finally approved to play for Rwanda.

Khalid Aucho has, on the other hand, taken over the arm band to lead Uganda in Kigali as the midfielder assumes the responsibilities in Emmanuel Okwi’s absence.

Okwi was part of the squad for last month’s games, but he has failed to find a new club and has since been overlooked by Serbian tactician Milutin Srejodevic.

Murushid Juuko will also play no part against Rwanda as he is serving a suspension for his red card against Mali.

Probable line-ups:

Rwanda: Mvuyekure, Ombalenga, Imanishimwe, Rwatubyaye, Nirisarike, York, Yannick Mukunzi, Kagere, Tuyisenge, Haruna.

Uganda: Watenga; Iguma, Walusimbi, Timothy, Muleme; Karisa, Byaruhanga, Aucho, Ibrahim; Mukwala, Fahad.