Sunday, October 13
Group A
Rwanda vs Tanzania
Venue: Azam Sports Complex, Dar es Salaam
Kickoff: 6:00pm CAT
Rwanda and hosts Tanzania square off at Azam Sports Complex on Sunday, October 13, in a match that could decide their fate at the ongoing 2024 CECAFA U20 tournament.
It will the Ngorongoro Boys’ fourth game in the campaign while Rwanda will also be playing their third game.
The game promises to a tough one for both sides, especially for Eric Nshimiyimana’s boys who are on the brink of elimination from the tournament having picked just one point from a possible six points played for so far this campaign.
Rwanda U20 lost 1-0 to Sudan in their opening game but they showed some improvement as they held Kenya to a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, Tanzania are a step away from qualifying for the knockout stage, having won two of their past three games. They started badly with a shock 2-1 defeat to Kenya but they quickly bounced back and humiliated Djibouti 7-0, before overcoming Sudan with a narrow 1-0 win.
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Despite a slow start to the competition, Tanzania coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa said his charges are now living up to expectations and he wants them to keep the momentum ahead of Sunday’s crucial test against Rwanda and go on to lift the title on home soil.
"The players gave their best and we are happy to register our second win now. I hope we can go win the trophy,” Mkwasa said after Sudan victory.
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The hosts will rely on Sheikhan Khamis, who came from the bench to net the winner against Sudan, as well as Valentino Kussngama and Zidane Sereri who were both superb in their last game.
Nshimiyimana, on the other hand, is likely to stick to goalkeeper Fils Habineza who was arguably the man of the match as Rwanda recorded a draw against Kenya.
Other players such as Thierry Musabyimana, Sultan Sibomana and Jesus Paul Sindi were excellent against Kenya and they will have to go all out again if Rwanda is to get the needed result.
It is a must win game for Rwanda but it will be hard earned against a tough home side in Tanzania.