[PHOTOS & VIDEO] Amavubi knocked out of CHAN

YesterdayRwanda 1-2 DR CongoCameroon 0-3 Côte dIvoire TodayTunisia vs MaliGuinea vs ZambiaThe National football team was yesterday eliminated from the ongoing African nations championship after losing 2-1 to DR Congo’s Leopards at Amahoro National Stadium. DRC midfielder, Roxa Gikanji scored early on in the 11th minute as the away team controlled the first half. Although DRC were the better side in the first half, Amavubi striker Ernest Sugira had an opportunity at the half way mark when he escaped DRC defenders but his attempt to chip the ball over the goalkeeper was not successful. Amavubi fans cheer the national team at Amahoro yesterday. (Timothy Kisambira) A Congolese fan blows a vuvuzela on his way to the stadium. (Timothy Kisambira) Amavubi played better in the second half after coach Johnny McKinstry brought on the pacy winger Savio Dominic Nshuti for Innocent Habyarimana, something that gave Amavubi more impetus going forward. Striker Ernest Sugira, equalized for Amavubi on the 57th minute sending the more than 20.000 fans in wild cheers. Both teams failed to finish off their chances and the tie went to extra time where DRC defender Padou Bompunga scored the winner on the 113rd minute. The Leopards of DRC will play either Zambia or Guinea in the semifinals next week. Amavubi squad pose in a group photo before the kick-off. (Timothy Kisambira) Amavubi captain Jacques Tuyisenge takes the ball away from Congolese Joyce Lomalisa. (Timothy Kisambira) This is the first time that DRC has defeated Rwanda in three meetings with Amavubi having won the previous two ties in 2004 in the African Nations Cup and a friendly tie in Rubavu 3 weeks ago. “We played well and we are happy to win the game and it was great for us to beat Rwanda for the first time but we are now looking forward for the next game which will be difficult in semi final” Coach Florent Ibenge said after the match. Amavubi fans came en masse to support their team. (Timothy Kisambira) Amavubi left back Celestin Ndayishimiye takes on Congolese Heritier Luvumbu. (Timothy Kisambira) Amavubi tactician Johnny McKinstry, who is the first coach to guide the national football team to the knockout stages of a major senior football competition, said the Congolese players were more experienced in continental competitions and that proved to have an edge over the less experienced Amavubi players. “We are disappointed with results and at end of the first half we were better and second half we have a lot chance to win the game but we failed to finish our job” Amavubi fans carry flags on their way to the stadium. (Timothy Kisambira) “Most of Congolese have played in major tournaments and for us we are not experienced enough but we played a good game,” he added. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS & VIDEO] Amavubi knocked out of CHAN