Amavubi Stars pay for negative approach 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers Group CYesterdayRwanda 0-0 Algeria TodayEgypt v Zambia Over cautious Amavubi Stars were held to a goalless draw by Algeria in the opening 2010 World/Africa Nations’ Cup second qualifier played yesterday at Amahoro stadium. The home team created and wasted several goal scoring chances which would have been beneficial to their long journey to reach the 2010 World and Africa Cup of Nations final in South Africa and Angola respectively. Amavubi paid for their negative approach to the match, which was there for the taking, playing a defensive game in the first 45 minutes, only changing to a more offensive approach in the second half. Goalie Jean Claude Ndoli’s blunder after only five minute went unpunished by Rafik Saifi who played on his strike partner Ghilas Kamel Fathi whose shot rebounded off the post. APR Haruna Niyonzima could have earned the Amavubi Stars victory but blasted over the cross bar from inside the penalty box. Patrick Mafisango’s free-kick was cleared by Madjid Bougherra’s header before the ball hit the post and went for a corner. Branko Tucak went for a less familiar striking combination of Jimmy Mulisa and Said Abed Makasi but they both did virtually nothing all evening before being hulled off for Jimmy Gatete and Pekeyake Tuyisenge. Algeria had two good chances of their own to find the net through Saifi and Ghilas but both wasted them when under pressure from man of the match Hamad Ndikumana. The AC Omonio based defender played outstandingly despite claims of off-form problems in the build-up to the game. The Amavubi team returned to the second half with more vigor in their game but still could not break down the Desert Fox, who seemed contented to take away a point. Niyonzima, Jean Mugiraneza and Abedi failed to make amends to turn scoring opportunities into goals as the capacity crown inside Amahoro stadium that included among others President Paul Kagame became increasingly inpatient as the game grew older. Gatete, who came on for Mulisa after nearly a year in the wildness, headed straight at the keeper and had another header over the cross bar. The Rayon Sport striker put through Makasi with a delightful pass but his club-less strike partner’s shot was blocked by Khaled Lemmouchia. Niyonzima had another chance to win it for Rwanda on 75th minute but shot wide while Mugiraneza’s shot on the stroke of full time went way over the cross bar. Algeria relied on counter-attacks to add life in their game in the dying minutes of the game but Ndoli’s fine save and Ndikumana’s discipline in central defence along side Boubakary Saddou denied them any meaningful opportunity in the second half. The other match in Group C match is set for today in Cairo as Egypt faces Zambia. The top team in the group will qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next year as three best finishers in each group qualify for the African Nations’ Cup in Angola. Ends
