Amavubi stars held by Cameroon in friendly

Friendly match Wednesday Rwanda 1-1 Cameroon Sunday Rwanda vs DRC Rwanda national team continued its winless record against Cameroon after surrendering a half time lead to draw 1-1 against Cameroon in a friendly match played on Wednesday evening at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu. This is the third draw that Amavubi have managed against the Indomitable Lions, who have won four times in the seven meetings between the two teams spanning decades ago. Both teams were using the warm-up game as part of their final preparations ahead of the forthcoming Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) finals tournament slated for January 16 through February 7 in Rwanda. Johnny McKinstry’s team started the game well in-front of a packed 5300-seater Umuganda stadium that is set to hosts Group D matches, dominating ball possession and creating a number of good openings going forward. The breakthrough came in the 41st minute when center back Abdul Rwatubyaye powered home a powerful header off Yannick Mukunzi’s corner kick that gave the home team the lead going into the break. But the lead didn’t last long after the break when Moumi Ngamaleu equalized for Cameroon in 55th minute. Rwanda continued to dominate the game but the players like Jacques Tuyisenge (captain), Dany Usengimana, Isaie Songa and Kevin Muhile failed to beat Cameroon goalie Nyambe Hugo. In second half, head coach McKinstry introduced Songa to replace Dany Usengimana, Kevin Muhire came on for Hegman Ngomirakiza, and Mohamed Mushimiyimana for Imran Nshimiyimana. Rwatubyaye was replaced by his APR teammate, Faustin Usengimana after the young defender got a knock on the left ankle, which didn’t look good as he was carried to dressing room limping. Young goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera came on to replace Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye, who was partly to blame for Cameroon equalizer, as he was beaten on the near-post, the exact position he was covering. “It is not enough to draw but we created chances, and the players showed the commitment, we deserved to win. We created seven good chances which was enough to win the game but that’s part of football,” McKinstry said in a post-match press conference. He added, “The progress of the team is good and we believe the game against DRC will give us a more competitive team going into CHAN.” The Cameroon head coach, Martin Felix Ndtoungou Mpile admitted Rwanda was the better side in the game, but it was a good test for his side before CHAN. Rwanda will play the last match ahead of CHAN against DR Congo on Sunday before McKinstry names the final 23-man squad for the tournament. Hosts Rwanda are in Group A along with Ivory Coast, Morocco and Gabon while Cameroon are in Group B together with DR Congo, Angola and Ethiopia. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Amavubi stars held by Cameroon in friendly