Soccer

HARUNA Niyonzima’s excellent leadership abilities during Sunday’s crunch African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Amavubi and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars did not go unnoticed.

In the absence of Patrick Mafisango, Niyonzima, who has been an inspirational figure for the Wasps wore the arm band and did not disappoint if Sellas Tetteh’s post match remarks are anything to go by.

The Amavubi head coach said, "Haruna was excellent in his role today. He showed great commitment and gave 100 per cent. He is a good motivator and that is one thing you need in a captain,” the Ghanaian said.

While Tetteh is yet to make a permanent choice for the role, Niyonzima has certainly made a good cause for himself.

Midfielder Albert Nyumbayire, who was playing in an unfamiliar right-back position on Sunday, scored the game’s only goal to seal Rwanda’s slot in next year’s edition which will be staged in Sudan.

The 1-0 victory coupled with a 1-1 first leg result in Dar es Salaam saw Amavubi advance on goal aggregates 2-1.

Besides hosts Sudan and holders DRC, other teams who have qualified for the competition include Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda.

The tournament will run from February 4 – 25.

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