Two years ago, Rwanda was named host of the 4th African Nations Championship. Fast forward 2016, CHAN kicks-off in Rwanda tomorrow and will run through February 7. In our series of profiling CHAN teams, Times Sport looks at Group A which has Ivory Coast, Gabon, Morocco and hosts Rwanda. It is a group that means a lot, especially for Rwandans who all wish for Amavubi to go past the group stage so they can continue enjoying the tournament. Ivory Coast Ivory Coast, also known as ‘Les Éléphants’, are expected to give Amavubi and head coach Johnny McKinstry probably the toughest test in the group. “Ivory Coast are a strong team, they play fast, attacking and energetic football. Nonetheless, my men can overcome anyone at this point, we have had standard preparations and every player in the squad is on top form,” Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry told Times Sport. Ranked top in Africa and 19th in the latest FIFA rankings released earlier this month, Michel Dussuyer’s team are not only favourites for Group A but also among favourites to win the tournament especially after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last year in Equatorial Guinea. However, the West African nation has a poor history in CHAN, a tournament exclusively meant for players who play in domestic leagues. They hosted the inaugural edition in 2009 but were eliminated in group stages after finishing bottom of the group that also included Zambia, Senegal and Tanzania. The African champions also qualified for the second edition held in Sudan and were again sent packing in the group stages after finishing third in Group D that had Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali. Ivory Coast failed to qualify for the last edition held in 2014 in South Africa and was won by Libya. However, they are still the best team in the group and anyone who underestimates their chances of winning the competition does at their peril. Les Elephants have been at AFCON finals for 21 times, the highest of the group, have won the tournament twice (1992 and 2015), also the highest of the group and have also qualified for FIFA World Cup finals three times in 2006, 2010 and 2014. Morocco The North African country will be making their second appearance in the biennial tournament, having made their debut in South Africa. Despite finishing top of Group B, which also comprised of Zimbabwe, Uganda and Burkina Faso, they were brushed off in quarter-finals after losing 4-3 to Nigeria. The ‘Lions of Atlas’ humble history in CHAN should not fool opponents, especially hosts Rwanda. Morocco has been to World Cup four times and 15 times to AFCON finals, including the 1976 edition they won when it was hosted in Ethiopia. Currently ranked 18th in Africa and 76th globally, Morocco will open their bid for first CHAN title, against Gabon on Saturday, they will play Ivory Coast next on January 20 before wrapping up the group stage against Rwanda four days later at Amahoro national stadium. Gabon The Central African country has played CHAN twice before- at the second edition in Sudan (2011) and 3rd edition in South Africa (2014). They will be making a third consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece. At their debut, they were eliminated from group stages but stepped up at the second attempt to reach the round of eight after finishing top of group D with seven 7 points, a group that also had DR Congo, Burundi and Mauritius. However, they failed in a bid for a spot in the semi-finals after losing 4-2 to eventual champions Libya after playing a 1-all draw in regulation time. Jorge Costa’s side played Rwanda last September in an international friendly match at Amahoro national stadium, a game that ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors. Will the Les Panthères replicate that feet when the two teams meet again on January 20. Same as Rwanda, Gabon are yet to make their debut at the FIFA World Cup, but on continental scene The Panthers are way ahead. Gabon has been at AFCON finals six times, including the 2012 meet they hosted and reached quarter-final, they also reached the round of eight in 1996. Rwanda Ranked 91st in the current FIFA ranking, hosts Rwanda have a tough task ahead for a spot in the quarter-finals. This is also a good opportunity for McKinstry’s side for redemption following their dismal performance at the 2011 tournament in Sudan where they finished bottom of Group D without a single point, the group also had Tunisia, Angola and Senegal. Making the second appearance, albeit in their own backyard this time round, Rwandans can only expect the unbreakable Rwandan spirit to prevail. Shall the wasps put a smile on Rwandan faces again, there is no more waiting, the tournament starts tomorrow. Amavubi open up their account for historic maiden title against Ivory Coast in the tournament’s opener on Saturday at Amahoro national stadium, face Gabon four days later before meeting Morocco in the final group encounter on January 24. Unlike their group opponents, Rwanda has only been at the AFCON finals once in 2004 in Tunisia and were eliminated from the group stages. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
