Rwanda v Sudan

Uganda v Tanzania

Time-3pm

VIP: Frw. 5000

Stands: Frw.3000

Rest: Frw. 2000

Revenge is not a good thing in life but if really necessary, someone can employ it to settle certain scores as the Amavubi Stars would testify going into today’s clash with Sudan at Nyamirambo stadium.

Rwanda suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in Khartoum a fortnight ago in the first qualifying round first leg of the inaugural African Nations’ Championship.

To progress to the last qualifying round of the competition in which home-based players are allowed to feature, the Amavubi Stars need to win by a five-goal margin to 4-0 to take the tie into penalty kicks.

With both coaches not taking anything for granted, the two sides are expected to line up their best squads.

Sudan goes into today’s game as favourites to qualify on Rwanda’s expense unless Amavubi team coach Blanko Tucak causes an unlikely upset.

Sudan coach Mohammed Abdullah said on Thursday that nothing will stop his team from playing its normal game, which is to attack while keeping the defence water-tight.

"We want more goals and people should expect a fast and physical game on Saturday," said Mohammed.

Despite being at home, efforts of getting any comment from Amavubi Stars head coach Tucak proved futile as he prefers not to discuss his tactics before matches.

His assistant, Raoul Shungu also could not comment but instead directed this reporter to the head coach who had earlier refused to comment.

After coming under a barrage of criticism for his negative approach to the first leg tie, Tucak thinks that refusing to talk to the media will help his cause and we shall wait and see how he approaches today’s must-win clash.

However, team captain Ismail Nshutinamagara said on Thursday night, "We are ready to play our best game and we need victory."

Tucak hopes to have the Congolese-born duo of Mbuyu Twite and Patrick Mafisango who missed the first leg in the starting team.

Midfielders Haruna Niyonzima and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza have recovered from their knocks and expected to be in the starting eleven while Ugandan-born striker Peter Kagabo and Cameroonian-born defender Boubakary Sadou make their debut.

While the Desert Hawks will be relying on players like Faisal Agab, Richard Gastin, Haitham Mustafa, Haitham Tumbal and Al Moez Mahgoub for inspiration.

.The winner between Cranes and Taifa Stars face the winner in Kigali in the second round matches scheduled for May 16-18, where the finals in Cote d’Ivoire run from February 22 to March 8, next year.

Rwanda; Jean Ndoli, Bonaventure Hategikimana, Aloua Gaseruka, Aimable Rucogoza (Boubakary Sadou), Ismail Nshutinamagara, Mutesa Mafisango, Eric Gasana (Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza), Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Iranzi, Abedi Mulenda and Peter Kagabo.

Sudan; Akram Salem, Haitham Mustafa, Mohamed Ali, Amir Kuku, Musa Tayeb, Hamouda Bashir, Ritshard Gastin, Mohamed Bakhit,, Mugahid Ahmed, Faisal Agab Sido and Kamal Tambal.

Ends