2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Group H, YesterdayBenin 1-3 AlgeriaMali 1-1 Rwanda

RWANDA picked up a 1-1 draw against Mali to dent the West African side's chances of qualifying to the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers last night at the Bamako International Stadium.

Striker Meddie Kagere put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute before Mali battled for their equaliser which came in the 77th minute through Mahamadou Ndiaye.

Mali needed a win at all costs to ensure that their dream of making it to the World Cup remain alive with two matches to go in the second round qualifying stage.

However, it will be Algeria with better chances as they stretched their lead at the top of the group to nine points while Amavubi remain rooted at the bottom with only two points.

Rwanda can only manage a maximum of eight points if they win the remaining two matches against Algeria at home and away to Benin.

Amavubi started the match slowly and were almost made to pay as early as the fourth minute but Mahamadou Samassa’s shot went wide.

On the 15th minute, Mahamadou Ndiaye saw his attempt go inches wide as the Rwandan defensive looked comfortable in the match. The game was restricted in Rwanda’s half as the Malians started to take control.

The home side gradually started to command play but the Amavubi kept their composure and created chances of their own but they lacked firepower at the front with Olivier Karekezi and Kagere leading the line.

On the 34th minute, against the run of play, Kagere earned the visitors a shock lead when defender Ndiaye Mahamadou misjudged an aerial ball to allow the Police striker the chance to finish neatly past Soumalia Diakite.

In the second half, Haruna Niyonzima received matching orders from Tunisian referee Med Said Kordi for a second bookable offense after a bad challenge on Ndiaye.

Haruna’s sending off reduced Rwanda’s strength in the midfield as the Yanga star was, until his dismissal effective with his hardworking runs.

With the clock ticking away and Rwanda leading, substitute Mana Dembele chipped a delightful ball into the penalty area which Ndiaye put to good use as he directed a powerful header past Jean-Claude Ndoli to snatch a deserved equaliser for the home sdie on the 77th minute.

The Eagles tried harder in search for the winner but the Rwandan defense remained steadfast to make sure new head coach Eric Nshimiyimana started off his reign with a valuable away point.

Algeria bolster chances

Algeria bolstered their chances of qualifying to the third and final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers by consolidating their lead in Group H after a 3-1 win against the Benin Squirrels at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo.

Rudy Gestede thrilled the home crowd with the opener in the 31st minute but Islam Slimani reacted in the 38th and 42nd minutes before the last nail on the casket by Nabil Ghilas in the 78th minute.

The Desert Foxes top Group H with nine points while Mali are second on 7 points, Benin are third on four points, while Rwanda are bottom with two points.

Line ups:

Mali: Soumalia Diakite, Fousseiny Diawara, Adama Tamboura, Adama Coulibaly [Salif Coulibaly], Abdou Traore, Mahamadou Samassa, Seydou Keita, Tongo Doumbia, Sigamary Diarra, Samba Sow [Mana Dembele] and Mahamadou Ndiaye.

Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Fabrice Twagizimana, Abouba Sibomana, Andrew Buteera [Jean Baptista Mugiraneza], Salomon Nirisarike, Faustin Usengimana, Michel Rusheshangoga, Meddie Kagere, Haruna Niyonzima, Olivier Karekezi and Jean Claude Iranzi [Patrick Sibomana].