Ndahinduka inspires Amavubi into Cecafa Quarter-finals

GoTV Cecafa Challenge CupYesterdayRwanda 1-0 EritreaUganda 1-0 Sudan Quarter finalsKenya vs. RwandaZambia vs. BurundiEthiopia vs. UgandaTanzania vs. Sudan AMAVUBI ended their goal scoring drought after a solo effort from striker Michel Ndahinduka gave Rwanda a much deserved 1-0 victory over Eritrea in the final Group C fixtures played yesterday at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.A 75th minute strike by APR forward Ndahinduka was enough to hand the Amavubi Stars the much needed three points to ensure that they book a place in the last eight.The victory gave Rwanda the green light of qualification to the quarter-finals of the tourney as one of the two best placed third teams.Head coach Eric Nshamiyimana started skipper Haruna Niyonzima, Ismail Nshutiyamagara and Mohamemd Mushiyimana on the bench and it was only his introduction with half an hour to play that made the difference.The first half ended goalless as Amavubi failed to convert several goal scoring opportunities following Eritrea goalie Abdulahaye Abdurahman’s brilliance in the goal.Amavubi well knowing that a win would sail them through to the last eight pressed harder but still Ndahinduka, Meddie Kagere, and Hussein Cyiza Mugabo could not break the deadlock.The introduction of Haruna for Mugabo added some steel in the squad as he freely distributed balls left and right but still Abdurahman continued to be a major barrier in the stands with Jacques Tuyisenge, Kagere, Ndahinduka and Jean Claude Iranzi, all still failing to find the net.However, Rwanda proved to be the better side for long periods of the game pressing the Eritrean defence all the way but it was Ndahinduka’s moment of brilliance on the 75th mark that changed the fortunes of the team from the land of a thousand hills.Ndahinduka connected a neat set-piece from Haruna to strike in the far post past Abdurahman.The win ensured Rwanda’s progress into the last eight as the second of the third-placed teams with three points and a goal difference of -1, a feat which sent Zanzibar packing.Rwanda face Kenya in last eight.Meanwhile, Harambee stars has topped Pool A of the on-going Cecafa Senior challenge cup after winning the coin toss at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.The hosts beat the Antelopes of Ethiopia in the exercise after both teams joint topped Pool A identically in points, goal aggregate and head to head.Kenya will therefore face Rwanda in Saturday quarter finals to be played in Mombasa.The exercise was conducted in the presence of Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye, Football Kenya chairman in charge of technical committee Elly Mukolwe and Ethiopian officials.Ethiopia will meet Uganda in the quarter finals; Zambia who topped pool B will meet Burundi while Group B runner-ups Tanzania meet Group C runner-ups Sudan.

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Ndahinduka inspires Amavubi into Cecafa Quarter-finals