CAF approves new dates for AFCON 2019 qualifiers

2019 Afcon Qualifiers Match Day 2 June 5-13, 2018 Guinea Vs Central Africa Rwanda Vs Cote d’Ivoire Match Day 3, September 3-11, 2018 Cote d’Ivoire Vs Central Africa Guinea Vs Rwanda Match Day 4 September 3-11, 2018 Central AfricaVs Cote d’Ivoire Rwanda Vs Guinea Match Day 5 October 8-16, 2018 Guinea Vs Cote d’Ivoire Rwanda Vs Central Africa Match Day 6 November 12-20, 2018 Central AfricaVs Guinea Cote d’Ivoire Vs Rwanda The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed new dates for the qualifiers for the 32nd edition of the Total AFCON Cameroon 2019. This development was confirmed by local football governing body, Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA). The CAF General Secretary, Amr Fahmy, said in a circular sent to FERWAFA on Tuesday afternoon that, “CAF has received several requests from some of the qualified teams to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 to postpone the matches of the qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations scheduled in March 2018 to enable them play friendly matches as part of their preparation to the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup. “In order to support the African teams in the FIFA World Cup and to ensure the best possible representation of the African continent in the final tournament of the said competition, CAF Executive Committee has decided, during its meeting in Rabat, Morocco on the 16th of November 2017 to approve the said request,” the circular says in part. According to the new schedule, Rwanda will face Cote d’Ivoire in Kigali on the second day of the 2019 AFCON Group H qualifiers between June 5-13, 2018 on the second day of the qualifiers. The third and fourth day will be played between September 3-11, 2018 with Rwanda facing Guinea home and away respectively. Rwanda will then host Central Africa Republic on match day five in Kigali on October 6-18, 2018 before concluding her continental quest against Cote d’Ivoire away to Abidjan on November 12-20 on match day six. Rwanda lost the opening game against Central Africa Republic away in Bangui losing 1-2 in June this year. Group leaders Guinea also stunned the 2015 champions Ivory Coast 3-2 in Abidjan. Ivory Coast and Rwanda are third and fourth, respectively, without a point. The decision to move the AFCON qualifiers will enable Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco to schedule friendly matches during the March international break as part of preparations for the 2018 Russia World Cup. The five nations are set to play two friendly matches in March ahead of the World Cup kick-off in June. Meanwhile, FIFA has released Rwanda’s list of international referees and assistant referees approved to officiate domestic and international matches in 2018. The list for 2018 comprises of twenty (20) referees and assistant referees who have been approved for the 2018 FIFA badges. The list of Rwanda FIFA referees 2018; Male Referees: Louis Hakizimana, Abdoul Kalim Twagirumukiza, Jean Claude Ishimwe, Nsoro Ruzindana and Samuel Uwikunda. Assistant Referees: Theogene Ndagijimana, Ambroise Hakizimana, Raymond Bwiliza Nonati, Zephanie Niyonkuru, Honore Simba, Justin Karangwa and Dieudonne Mutuyimana. Women Referees: Rhadia Salma Mukansanga, Aline Umutoni and Angelique Tuyishime while women assistant referees are Nyinawabari Speciose, Murangwa Usenga Sandrine, Umutesi Alice, Ingabire Francine and Mukayirangwa Regine. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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CAF approves new dates for AFCON 2019 qualifiers