McKinstry: Amavubi are ready for DR Congo game

SaturdayRwanda vs DR Congo, 3pm - SS9/RTVCameroon vs Côte dIvoire, 6pm - SS9/RTV Entry at Amahoro StadiumVVIP - Rwf20, 000VIP - Rwf10, 000Yellow Seats - Rwf4, 000 Public Seats - Rwf1000 Amavubi head coach Johnny McKinstry has admitted that the national team’s meeting with President Paul Kagame ahead of the quarter-final clash against DR Congo is big motivation for them to win the game, which will be played on Saturday afternoon at Amahoro National Stadium. Speaking to Saturday Sport after the meeting with the President on Thursday at Village Urugwiro, McKinstry said the players will continue to give 100%, and to push for a top performance against the Leopards as the hosts seek for a place in the semi-finals of the 2016 African Nations Championships. The first man to guide Rwanda into the knockout stages of a major competition in senior category says it was a major boost to the confidence and morale of the team, because of the President’s inspirational remarks. “It is clear from the meeting and from previous meetings with ministry and FERWAFA officials that everyone is happy with the team’s progress over the last several months but for the current period, everyone is focused on continuing to advance in CHAN. …and after we can think about the other competitions,” the former Serra Leone tactician, said. “We are more than ready to face DR Congo in what promises to be a good and exciting game of football. We are facing a very tricky and tough opponents. They are one of the favorites (in the tournament) but I have reminded my players that we are in a crucial stage of the competition, we will need to focus on our game,” he added. The 30-old Northern Irishman noted that, “so regardless of where we finish in the tournament, we will take time to evaluate all aspects of the tournament and preparation for it; and then begin planning for Mauritius in March; as these are very important games for our AFCON campaign.” No fear for DR Congo His DR Congo counterpart, Frolent Ibenge, said his team have no fear in facing the tournament hosts, and vowed, “we want to reach the next stage.” “We have no fear about facing Rwanda. We are ready to reach the next stage. We are not scared of Rwanda and we will give our best and they better be prepared for the challenge from my players who are hungry to win,” Ibenge said after Thursday’s training. “I have told my players to give their best in what will be a tough game for us, but to proceed to the next phase, we need to eliminate the hosts,” he added. Rwanda won two matches and finished top of Group A despite losing 4-1 to Morocco in the final group match while DR Congo also managed to get two wins, against Ethiopia 3-1 and Angola 4-2 before losing final match of Group B against Cameroon 3-1. McKinstry rested a total of eight starting players in their last group game against Morocco while DR Congo also rested nine players in their last group game against Cameroon, which they lost 3-1. Rwanda hold edge Rwanda has beaten DR Congo in each of their previous two meetings, the first a 1-0 win at the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia, and, more recently, during this year’s 1-0 victory in a CHAN buildup game in Rubavu. The second quarter-final match between Côte dIvoire against archrivals Cameroon will be played at Huye Stadium today evening. Cameroon finished top of Group B after beating Angola and DR Congo and drawing with Ethiopia, while Côte dIvoire finished in second position in Group A after losing to Rwanda, drawing with Morocco and beating Gabon. Meanwhile, the price of tickets for the match have been doubled. A VVIP ticket is going for Rwf20,000, a VIP for Rwf10,000; yellow seats for Rwf4, 000 and the rest Rwf1000. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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McKinstry: Amavubi are ready for DR Congo game