Moment of truth for Amavubi as they take on Nigeria

TodayLibya Vs Eq. Guinea 7:30pmRwanda Vs Nigeria 9:30pm After weeks of intensive preparations, the moment of truth has arrived for Rwanda to show what they have been doing in training when they face Nigeria in Group C of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Morocco today. The fifth edition of Africa’s second biggest international football competition got underway Saturday with hosts Morocco getting their campaign off to a winning start, defeating Mauritania 4-0 in their opening Group A match in Casablanca. The competition will run up through February 4. Amavubi will be looking to get their campaign off to a good start against the Super Eagles in the second game of the night in Tianger. The game gets underway at 9:30p.m Rwandan time. Libya, winners of the competition in 2014, take on debutants Equatorial Guinea at 7:30p.m in the group’s other tie. Amavubi (wasps) head coach Antoine Hey says his team “are ready to sting Nigeria” as they seek their first win in four attempts against the West African giants. “The team are in good spirits and the players are well prepared technically, physically and mentally for the challenge ahead. We are ready to make Rwanda proud,” Hey said on Saturday ahead of today’s clash. The German tactician added: “We know that being in the same group as Nigeria, Libya and Equatorial Guinea is a huge challenge, these are three good teams. However, we believe that we have what it takes to get positive results in each of our games.” The former Kenya coach said that the warm-up matches against Namibia and Algeria provided his team an excellent taste of what to expect in the tournament. “To play against such difficult opponents showed us where we need improvement and we have done all we can do improve, we have worked on every aspect, so we are happy with the level we’re at,” he added. Despite Hey’s confidence, Rwanda have mountain to climb today as they have failed to beat Nigeria in their past four meetings. When Rwanda hosted CHAN 2016 edition, Amavubi made the most of home advantage and reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament, losing 2-1 to the eventual winners DR Congo in extra-time. It was the first time Rwanda had progressed past the group stage of the continent’s second-most prestigious football tournament. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Moment of truth for Amavubi as they take on Nigeria