As Egypt seal CAN place, keep heat on Algeria

Saturday
Zambia 0-1 Egypt
Yesterday
Algeria 3-1 Rwanda

RWANDA’S hopes of playing in next year’s Orange Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) were dashed following last night’s 3-1 defeat against a spirited Algerian side.

Amavubi took a surprise lead on the 20th minute after a clinical strike from Mutesa Mafisango.

But the joy was short lived as Abdelkader Ghezzal equalised two minutes later.

The striker’s goal was a result of poor marking from Amavubi skipper Hamad Ndikumana ‘Katauti’.

Portsmouth midfielder Belhadj Nadir netted the second goal for the Fennecs at the end of the first half after Ndikumana failed to clear a dangerous ball in the box.

At the start of the second half, Amavubi kept pushing and could have levelled and even gone ahead but Cyril Kaume and Jean Paul Lutula put their chances to waste.

Wolfsburg striker Karim Ziani then sealed Rwanda’s fate with a well taken penalty deep into extra minute after Ndikumana had fouled Bouazza Hamer.

It was a bad night for Jean Luc Ndayishimiye ‘Bakame’ between the goal posts.

The APR custodian, who has been Amavubi’s second choice goalkeeper after Jean Claude Ndoli, could not repeat his spectacular goal keeping that helped Atraco lift the 2009 Cecafa Kagame Cup and Amahoro Cup.

Algeria’s victory restored their three-point lead at the top of Group C but also set up a potentially thrilling deciding match in Cairo between African champions Egypt and Algeria next month.

Egypt sealed their CAN slot after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Zambia. Hosny Abd Rabou scored the game’s lone goal.

Egypt, who moved to 10 points but still three points behind Algeria, need maximum points and a superior goal difference to secure their ticket to South Africa.

Rwanda is still routed at the bottom of the group with one point, three adrift of Zambia in third place.

Ends