Tetteh targets Cote d’Ivoire scalp

2012 Nations’ Cup qualifiersGroup HSeptember 3Rwanda  vs  Cote d’IvoireBurundi  vs  BeninAmavubi Stars has started preparations ahead of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire due to be played on September 3 in Kigali.With four weeks left before the match, head coach Sellas Tetteh wants to use the period to out his players into the right shape, mentally and physically.

Monday, August 08, 2011
Charles Tibingana (R) fights for the ball with an Ivory Coast player during the 2011 Africa Junior Championship. The Uganda based winger has been called to the senior team. The New Times / file

2012 Nations’ Cup qualifiers
Group H
September 3
Rwanda  vs  Cote d’Ivoire
Burundi  vs  Benin

Amavubi Stars has started preparations ahead of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire due to be played on September 3 in Kigali.

With four weeks left before the match, head coach Sellas Tetteh wants to use the period to out his players into the right shape, mentally and physically.

The Ghanaian, who is still hopeful of snatching second place in Group H, is targeting maximum points in the two remaining matches, will start preps with local based players until the professionals are released by their clubs five days before the match.

"Our main task now is to win the remaining matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. We have to end the campaign on a high. "Côte d’Ivoire have already qualified but that won’t make our task any easier,” Tetteh said recently.

Amavubi’s chances of qualifying for what would be their second Nations Cup finals appearance are all but over after losing three in four games.

The Amavubi team lost to Ivory Coast (0-3), Benin (0-3) and Burundi (1-3) while their only victory came in the first leg qualifier against Burundi (3-1). The result has left Rwanda at the foot of Group H with three points.

The Elephants, who have a friendly match against Israel this Wednesday, sit at the helm of the group with 12 points and have already qualified for Equatorial Guinea/Gabon finals while Benin and Burundi are tied on four points although the West Africans enjoy a superior goal difference.

Amavubi team:

Local players: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Jean Claude Ndoli, Patrick Rutayisire, Evariste Mutuyimana, Marcel Nzarora, Albert Ngabo, Jean de Dieu Uwineza, Abouba Sibomana, Donatien Tuyizere, Eric Gasana, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Hussein Sibomana, Heriman Ngoma, Fabrice Twagizimana, Peter Kagabo

Adolphe Hakundukize, Eric Ndahayo, Jean Claude Iranzi, Eric Serugaba, Jacques Tuyisenge and Emery Bayisenge

Professional players: Elias Uzamukunda, Bokota Labama, Haruna Niyonzima, Patrick Mafisango, Mao Kalisa, Charles Tibingana and Andrew Buteera

Ends