CHAN qualifier (return leg)

Sunday results

Rwanda 1-0 Tanzania

*Rwanda qualify on aggregates (2-1)

Uganda 1-2 Kenya

*Uganda qualify 2-2 on away goals rule

RWANDA sealed their place in next year’s African Championship of Nations (CHAN) after yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Tanzania at Amahoro Stadium.

The Wasps inched through on goal aggregates (2-1) given the fact that the first leg had finished 1-1 in Dar es Salaam over a month ago.

Right from the start, it was the home team that came out looking more determined to win and their motivation paid off when Albert Nyumbayire put Rwanda ahead on the 36th minute after coming on for the injured Albert Ngabo.

The midfielder, who was playing in an unfamiliar right-back position, saw his shot take a huge deflection off Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima to send Taifa Stars’ goalkeeper Shabaan Hassan the wrong way.

Rwanda could have doubled their lead soon after but Dady Birori shot wide. Emmanuel Sebanani also had a goal disallowed for off-side to keep Tanzania in the game.

After the break, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza a.k.a Migi took control of the midfield making it hard for Marcio Maximo’s boys to play their passing game.

Tanzania’s best chance came on the 60th minute when Hassan Mgosi dribbled past center back Kalisa Mao but shot in the hands of the impressive Amavubi number one Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, who was recently voted Rwanda’s sportsman of the year.

Abuba Sibomana was exceptional on the left back as he made life impossible for Taifa Stars hit man Mrisho Ngassa.
In the dying minutes, Maximo beefed up his attack by bringing on another striker John Bocco but it was all in vain. After the game, Amavubi coach Sellas Tetteh lauded his players for the win.

In Nairobi, Uganda Cranes also qualified on away goals’ rule despite losing 2-1 to Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

Other teams through to the biannual event include hosts Sudan, holders DRC, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Niger. The tournament will run from February 4-25.

Ends