Build-up match

Koln U18 1-3 Junior Wasps

May 25

Dusseldorf U18 vs Junior Wasps

FRANKFURT -  ERIC Nsabimana scored a brace as Richard Tardy’s Junior Wasps came from behind to beat Koln U18 3-1 in a morale-boosting win ahead of the upcoming Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

The midfielder, one of only two players to play out the entire 90 minutes, received lavish praise from Tardy after anchoring the team to a comfortable win over their Germany opponents with a performance that belied his tender years.

Koln opened the scoring through Christian Bruckers on the 40th minute but the lead was short-lived Charles Mwesigye Tibingana equalized through a counter attack two minutes later to leave the sides level at half time.

Tardy made nine changes in the second half (Michel Rusheshangoga the other player to stay on) and the moved paid off dearly.

The team gained more control of the game and there was little surprise when Nsabimana finally gave the Junior Wasps the lead with a thunderous strike on the 70th minute.
He sealed his double ten minutes later with a clever chip.

After the game, Tardy could not hide his excitement saying, "It’s incredible. Today’s performance was up there and the players deserve credit for that.”

"We can still improve especially in the midfield but overall, the team is on the way up and that’s a good thing,” he added.

Rwanda’s ambassador to Germany, Christine Nkuliyinka was among those cheering on the team in the stands.

The team’s one-week training camp in Germany is part of their build-up to the Mexico showdown slated to run from June 18-July 10. They next play Dusseldorf U18 side on Wednesday before heading to USA for their final training session.

Rwanda, who are drawn in Group C, will open their World Cup campaign against England on June 19. They then play Uruguay on June 22 before winding up with Canada on June 25.