2010 World/Africa Qualifiers

Group Eight

June 14

Rwanda      v    Morocco
Ethiopia      v    Mauritania

Ferwafa and Sports Ministry bosses Brig. Gen John Bosco Kazura and Joseph Habineza believe that the Amavubi Stars have what it takes to defeat Morocco.

Rwanda hosts the North Africa giants at Nyamirambo stadium on Sunday in the third game of the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifying round.

The two top sports administrators said on Monday while welcoming Amavubi Stars at Amahoro Petit Stade that the national team’s impressive form gives them belief that the Tucak Blanko’s team can actually stun the Atlas Lions.

Ferwafa chief, Kazura said, "I urge you fans to support your team. The team has been impressive in the last two games against Mauritania and Ethiopia and with Morocco next, the players need your full support if they going to win.”

With fans reiterating the national team’s slogan ‘Amavubi Tupa-Ndani’, Kazura urged players to maintain their current form and shock the Atlas Lions, who have also won thei last two games.

On his part Habineza said, "We had promised to set up a new Amavubi team, which is determined and willing to give their best and here it is (referring to the Amavubi players).”

"These two results (against Mauritania and Ethiopia) are not enough, we must sort out Morocco home and away,” the Minister of Sports, Habineza stressed.

While Kazura and Habineza are confident about Rwanda’s chances of beating Morocco, it’s Tucak’s job to earn Rwanda’s maiden victory over a North African country.

The joy that was engulfed Rwandans over the weekend could be short-lived if Morocco wins on Sunday but a win for the hosts will definitely leave the home fans extremely happy.

Meanwhile, Amavubi Stars have embarked on serious training ahead of Morocco tie on the same day they returned form Addis Ababa where they came from behind to beat the home team 2-1.

Both Said Abedi and Olivier Karekezi were on target for the Wasps for the second game in a row after getting on the score sheet in the opening qualifiers against Mauritania.

Morocco and Rwanda are leading group eight with six points each but are separated by goal differences.

Morocco has scored seven goals and conceded one while Rwanda has scored five goals and conceded one goal in the two qualifiers played so far. Both Ethiopia and Mauritania lay bottom of group eight without a point after losing their two games.

Rwanda continues their 2010 qualifiers by hosting Morocco in Kigali while Mauritania play host to Ethiopia. The top two qualifying teams in each group and the eight best second-place teams will make the grade for the main qualifying campaign for the 2010 WC/CAN in South Africa and Angola respectively.

Ends