African Championship qualifiers

Today

Burundi   v   Rwanda

Newly appointed Amavubi Stars coach Raoul Shungu makes his debut today when he guides the national football team against Burundi in the second leg of the Africa Nations in Bujumbura.

The DR Congo born tactician must prove his critics wrong by securing a victory to advance of first round of the newly introduced African Nations championship meant for local based players.

Shungu took over the reins of the national football team after a two months’ era of mixed results under Atraco’s Jean-Marie Ntagwabira and ex-Rayon coach Antoine Rutsindura.

The local football body, Ferwafa has since unveiled Shungu as head team coach assisted by ex-international Eric Nshimiyimana in quest of turning around the waning national team fortunes.

The first leg ended in a one-nil victory for Amavubi Stars thanks to a Abedi Mulenda strike early in the first half of the game.

The winner between Burundi and Rwanda will face Sudan in the first round tie to be played on the weekend of May 2-4.

This new championship was inaugurated last September by Caf with the aim of providing home-grown talents more exposure on the international scene as well as promoting and developing football in Africa.

Elsewhere in the North zone Libya beat Tunisia on penalties after 180 minutes of football ended with a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Libya will now face Egypt in the first round proper.

In West A zone Mauritania drew 0-0 with Gambia to progress on away goals, Guinea await in the first round, while Niger lost 2-0 to Ghana in West B zone.

Ghana will now clash with Togo in the first round.

In the Central zone Gabon played Central African Republic, while in the Southern zone Mozambique secured a 1-0 victory over Malawi.

The winners of each group will qualify for the final tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast from February 22 to March 8 next year.

Ends