Sugira doubtful for Mozambique clash

Rwanda forward Ernest Sugira is likely to miss the upcoming Group H 2017AFCON qualifier against Mozambique on Saturday at the Amahoro National Stadium in Remera. The 25-year-old AS Vita Club-bound striker is nursing a minor ankle injury which he sustained during the international warm-up game against Senegal last Saturday at the Kigali Regional Stadium, and was seen limping in training on Tuesday. Amavubi team doctor Moussa Hakizimana said Sugira was undergoing treatment. “We are trying to see if he can recover in time for the game,” he said. The AS Kigali forward limped off the pitch during last Saturday’s game against Senegal and was replaced by Police FC striker Danny Usengimana. Rwanda lost the game 2-0. Head coach Jonathan McKinstry said, “We are still waiting to see if he can make it and hopefully a decision will be reached by Thursday. But we have players that can fill that gap, like Danny.” Gor Mahia (Kenya) striker Jacques Tuyisenge, who played alongside Sugira for Amavubi during the 2016 CHAN finals in Kigali early this year, praised his fellow international’s attacking prowess. “I enjoyed playing with Sugira during CHAN and during other fixtures, he is a dynamic player who knows how to position himself, and that’s why he scores goals,” Tuyisenge, who captained Amavubi during the CHAN tournament, told Times Sport. Should Sugira be ruled out, Usengimana could take his place. The Police FC forward is the top scorer in the national football league with 14 goals. “Usengimana is a good striker, he has also gained some good experience since joining the national team,” Tuyisenge said. Rwanda beat Mozambique 1-0 in the first leg, thanks to Sugira. Meanwhile, leaders Black Stars of Ghana will play against Mauritius on Sunday and victory will see the West Africans seal a ticket to the AFCON 2017, which will be staged in Gabon. Ghana top Group H with 10 points, with Rwanda and Mauritius in second and third, respectively, with six points each, while Mozambique are bottom with one point. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Sugira doubtful for Mozambique clash