Amavubi can qualify for AFCON, says Niyonzima

Tuesday results Rwanda 5-0 MauritiusMorocco 2-0 Cape VerdeEgypt 1-0 NigeriaSudan 1-1 Ivory CoastAngola 0-2 Congo DRSouth Africa 0-0 CameroonGambia 0-0 MauritaniaLiberia 5-0 DjiboutiUganda 0-0 Burkina FasoNamibia 1-3 BurundiTogo 0-0 TunisiaEthiopia 3-3 AlgeriaNiger 1-2 SenegalLesotho 2-1 SeychellesMalawi 1-2 Guinea After humiliating Mauritius 5-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima is optimistic that Rwanda will qualify for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON). Amavubi moved to second spot in Group H after thrashing the Les Dodos of Mauritius in the return leg. A brace from striker Ernest Sugira and a strike each from Savio Dominique Nshuti, Fitina Omborenga and Jean Baptiste Muriganeza earned coach Jonathan McKinstry’s side maximum points to keep in race for a place in Gabon 2017 AFCON finals. “We are pleased with the results. It was a much needed result and overall we played well. We are in good position and we have shown that we are ready for the game against Mozambique,” Niyonzima said. The national team skipper said the team is now looking forward for the next game against Mozambique. “We have bounced back into the competition. We can qualify because we are in good position to win the next two games. I am positive we can qualify,” he noted. Rwanda enjoyed better ball possession which saw them avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered away to the Mauritius last Saturday. Teenager Nshuti opened the goal scoring account with an 11th minute header off a brilliant cross from defender Fitina Omborenga which went past Mauritius goal keeper Jean Louis Kevin Obrian. Sugira then bagged the second goal with a fine volley just inside the box in the 30th minute before completing his brace in the 31st minute. In the 74th minute full back Fitina Omborenga scored from long range. Substitute Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza completed the rout in the 90th minute. Following the crucial win, Rwanda now have six points and occupy second spot behind leaders Ghana who have ten points. Mauritius lies in third position with six points while Mozambique are last with only one point from four matches. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Amavubi can qualify for AFCON, says Niyonzima