Today’s fixtures (Kigali Regional Stadium)

Group A

Burkina Faso  vs Senegal  1pm (SS9)
Egypt              vs Rwanda 3.30pm (SS9)

JUNIOR Wasps coach Richard Tardy is set to stick with the same side that edged Burkina Faso in today’s game against Egypt at Kigali Regional stadium.

Rwanda got off to a bright start in Group A after Saturday’s 2-1 win over the junior Stallions and can cement their semi-final slot if beat Egypt this afternoon.

In the build-up to the tournament, Tardy was very critical of a good start and now maintains that keeping the momentum is key to Rwanda’s chances of snatching that valuable U-17 Fifa World Cup slot in Mexico.

"We got off to a good start which further boosted our confidence so it is very important that we get a result against Egypt,” he said, adding, "It is important that we don’t lose the game.”

The hosts have been boosted by news that influential striker Justin Mico is fit to play after what looked like a dangerous head butt in the Burkina Faso game. Center-back Faustin Usengimana, who scored Rwanda’s opener on Saturday, is also fit to start after shaking off a knock in his left thigh.

However, Tardy is aware that Egypt, who downed Senegal by a similar score line (2-1) over the weekend, will be no push-overs.

Like Tardy, Egypt’s assistant coach Tamer Abdel Hamid has stressed the significance of today’s game.
"We know that victory over Rwanda will not only see us through to the semi-finals but also qualify us to the World Cup,” Hamid noted.

The day’s action kicks off with a West African contest between Burkina Faso and Senegal at the same venue and Burkina Faso Coach Rui Vieria insists that there is still everything to play for.
"We’re not yet out of the tournament.

We can still get six points and qualify,” the Portuguese tactician said.

Rwanda and Egypt are joint-leaders with three points while Burkina Faso and Senegal are still chasing for their first points in the tournament.

Ends