CHAN: Amavubi in final preps to silence Ethiopia

Sunday Rwanda Vs Ethiopia National team head coach Anthony Hey is not taking any chances as he plots an assault on Ethiopia in the return leg of the Total CHAN 2018 Play-off. The coach who is currently taking the team through rigorous training at Kigali Stadium is aware of the damage that can be caused by his opponents, if his team makes any slight mistake on Sunday. Ethiopia needs to score three goals to qualify for the final tournament. Amavubi returned back in the country on Monday afternoon from Ethiopia and went straight into camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata to prepare for the return leg of CHAN qualifier. Hey said although his team was lucky to pick a positive result, the game is yet to be decided. “We shouldn’t forget that this is a tie to be decided over 180 minutes. It’s only the 1st half and we have to play the 2nd half on Sunday,” Hey said. Among his strategy ahead of the Sunday clash is working on some technical aspects. “There are some technical aspects of the game that we need to work on so that we can play better and win the second leg,” he added. Coach Hey admitted Ethiopia is a big threat because they have more experienced players, adding ‘it is not over yet.’ “We need to work harder in the return leg than we did in the first leg; we need to focus more in order to get positive results.” In the first leg, Ethiopia broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through Aschalew Girma while Eric Rutanga put Amavubi on level in the 55th minute with a wonderful free kick. However, the hosts extended the lead again-thanks to playmaker Abubakher Sanni, who headed in a cross from midfielder Samson Tilahun from the left flank in 65th minute. Amavubi was later to hit back in the 78th minute. Substitute Muhadjiri Hakizimana capitalised on a blunder by Ethiopian goalie Birhanu to level in the 78th minute, before Abeddy Biramahire scored the winner two minutes later. The away victory boosted chances of Rwanda to qualify for the finals of Africa’s second biggest international competition, which is reserved for players, who feature in their respective domestic leagues. The draw for the finals tournament is scheduled for November 17 in Morocco and the finals tournament will run from January 12 to February 4 next year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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CHAN: Amavubi in final preps to silence Ethiopia