Rwanda hold Libya in Tunis

2015 Afcon Qualifiers First Round, yesterday Libya 0-0 Rwanda CAR 0-0 Guinea-Bissau Madagascar 2-1 Uganda Kenya 1-0 Comoros Mozambique 5-0 South Sudan Swaziland 1-1 Sierra Leone Tanzania 1-0 Zimbabwe Namibia 1-0 Congo Brazzaville Mauritania 1-0 Equatorial Guinea Benin 2-0 Sao Tome Principe Malawi 2-0 Chad Rwanda and reigning Chan champions Libya played to a barren draw in the first round of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier at Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunis, Tunisia yesterday. With the yet to be unveiled Briton coach Stephen Constantine in the stands, Amavubi squandered three goal scoring opportunities and largely played a defensive game. In the dugout for Amavubi was interim head coach Andre Cass Mbungo who gave Rayon Sports midfielder Leon Uwambazimana his international debut. Libya began the match strongest with Rwanda taking time to settle. In the 20th minute, a dangerous pass by Ahmed Al Alwani almost cost Rwanda dearly but an advancing goalie Jean Claude Ndoli managed to deal with the threat. Strikers Elias Uzamukunda and Dady Birori came close to breaking the deadlock on 30th and 40th minutes but were ruled offside. In the second half, both Meddie Kagere and Birori wasted clear opportunities for the Amavubi. Uzamukunda’s effort from the edge of the box was just inches away from the goal post. Libya failed to make the most of Uwambazimana’s blunder when Ndoli responded superbly to deny Mansur Elhadi. Defender Abouba Sibomana had his free kick at the edge of the box headed away into the corner before Cassa reinforced his side bringing on Haruna Niyonzima for Jimmy Mbaraga and Rodrique Murengezi for Uwambazimana. Overall, it was both a physical and tactical game. Coach Cassa said: “This is a good result away from home. I took my time to study Libya and thankfully, players were able to listen to my instructions, and thus the good result,” “We missed three clear cut chances which would have put us in a much better position but nevertheless I am optimistic we will win the return leg at home,” added the AS Kigali tactician. Amavubi returns back this evening before heading straight in residential camp in Northern Province town of Musanze. The return leg will be played on May 31 with the winner over the two legs taking on either Namibia or the Republic of Congo. Namibia edged closer to the next round after beating the Republic of Congo 1-0 in Windhoek. Elsewhere, Madagascar shocked visitors Uganda with a 2-1 victory, with the Cranes’ crucial away goal only coming in injury time. The hosts took the lead through Fabrice Angio and then doubled their advantage through Njiva Rakotoharimalala, with both goals coming in first half. But they wasted another chance to extend their advantage even further when Angio failed to score from the penalty spot in the second-half. Hamis Kiiza then scored what could prove to be a vital away goal with a spot-kick in the very last moments of the match. Uganda are traditionally a force to reckon with at their backyard and will fancy their chances to overturn the loss and ultimately progress to the next stage in two weeks. Uganda are ranked more than 100 places above Madagascar on Fifa rankings. Amavubi XI: Jean Claude Ndoli, Michel Rusheshangoga, Ismail Nshutiyamaga, Emery Bayisenge, Abouba Sibomana, Leon Uwambazimana (Rodrigue Murengenzi), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Jimmy Mbaraga (Haruna Niyonzima), Elias Uzamukunda (Djamal Mwiseneza), Daddy Birori and Meddie Kagere.