KIGALI - Rwanda’s 2010 World and Africa cup campaign continued in impressive fashion with a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa yesterday. Said Abedi equalized for Rwanda after 66 minutes, nodding in Patrick Mafisango’s curving free kick past Ethiopia’s keeper.

Oliver Karekezi slid home the second in the 89th minute after a flowing move.

The Wasps deserved their win, with Abedi missing several chances in the first-half and Bogota twice denied by the goalkeeper. 

Rwanda finished third in their group in the qualifiers for the 2006 African Nations Cup, but yesterday’s vibrant performance was a clear statement that they intend to go one better this time round.

Ethiopia, with South Africa’s champions Super Sport’s Fikru Tefera missing through suspension, were always on the attack but lacked a crucial cutting edge.

Ethiopia dominated a lively opening 45 minutes in which they were lucky to take the lead in the 47th minute of the first half.

Karekezi had been quiet in the early stages, but he burst into life in the second half with a trademark run that ended with a thunderbolt shot that ended at the back of net after an exchange with Said Abedi.

Rwanda played some wonderful flowing football, but fortune was against them again as they failed to double their lead three minutes after Abedi’s header.

Ethiopia had battled manfully, but they had shown little as an attacking force, although Claude Ndoli in Rwanda’s goal had to be alert to come off his line and deny Ethiopia’s strikers on several occasions. 

And as Ethiopia pushed forward, Rwanda broke to add a second in the dying minutes as Abedi found Karekezi, for a long-range finish to put the game beyond Ethiopia’s reach.  The team is expected back in Kigali today afternoon.

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