Rwanda, Senegal face off in friendly today

SaturdayInternational Friendly Rwanda vs Senegal June 4AFCON 2017 Qualifier Rwanda vs Mozambique THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM (Amavubi) will play a friendly against Senegal today as part of preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2017 qualifiers return leg against Mozambique slated for June, at Amahoro National Stadium. Rwanda are currently second in Group H with six points, as they strive to qualify for the AFCON finals tournament for the second time in history, while Mozambique are bottom of the table with just a point. This is the first time both teams will be meeting. “The game against Senegal will be a great test for the players, as the Senegalese side is currently one of the leading sides in Africa (ranked 4th),” Amavubi head coach, Johnathan McKinstry said. The coach added that the game will ensure that the players are well prepared, ahead of their crucial return leg tie against Mozambique. Senegalese coach Aliou Cissé will also be using the friendly to prepare his squad ahead of their qualifier against Burundi. The West African team top Group K with 12 points and are ranked 4th in Africa. “I would once again encourage all supporters to come out in big numbers for both the friendly game with Senegal, and most importantly the AFCON qualifier against Mozambique and support the team to get the result we are all looking for,” McKinstry added A draw for Senegal against Burundi in Bujumbura will book them a place at the AFCON finals. They jet into the country on Monday before heading to Bujumbura for their game which is slated for June 4. Senegal is on top of Group K with 12 points from four games while Burundi is second with six. Niger and Namibia in third and fourth positions respectively with three points apiece cannot qualify for the continental showpiece. Rwanda is in second position with six points same as Mauritius, but the former has more goals having netted six. They are behind leaders Ghana who are on nine points. The remaining Group H matches will see Rwanda host Mozambique on June 4 in Kigali before finishing off with an away game against group leaders Ghana on September 2. Rwanda beat Mozambique 1-0 in the opening match of Group H; Amavubi went on to lose to Ghana 1-0 and again 1-0 to Mauritius in Belle Vue before McKinstry’s team humiliated Mauritius 5-0 in Kigali last month. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda, Senegal face off in friendly today