Tucak positive despite goalless draw

Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars head coach Branko Tucak is assured of progressing in Group C despite his team being held to a goalless draw by Algeria in the opening 2010 World/Africa Nations Cup second round qualifier on Saturday. The Croat believes his team played outstandingly and deserved to win despite failure to utilize their goal scoring opportunities. “We played well, created some chances but failed to utilize them. That’s the order of football but we are contented with the point. “Algeria were playing for a draw and have gone home the happier team because getting a point away from home is always important,” Tucak said after the match, he had predicted to win. Tucak noted that he is now shifted his attention to the next qualifier away to Zambia in Lusaka scheduled for June 6 before another away day against Egypt on June 10. The visitors were unable to break down Amavubi Stars’ rear guard which was commanded by former team captain Hamad Ndikumana, who had his best game in national colors since his return to the team last year after a two-year self-imposed exile. The first half began with the Algerians pushing for the opening goal but their efforts were all in vain. Rafik Saifi had the best chance for the visitors when he recovered a ball in the penalty area but his curling shot found the post instead of the back of the net. The home team replied through Patrick Mafisango’s free kick but the Desert Fox goalkeeper, Lounes Gaouaoui managed to save the deflected strike. The Algerians dominated the run of play but could not translate their possession into the goals they needed in the first half. The beginning of the second half saw Amavubi up their level after two changes by Tucak at the start of the period. Jimmy Gatete replaced Jimmy Mulisa and Elias Ntaganda was relieved by Jean Mugiraneza. The Algerians countered by bringing on Rafik Djebbour for Saifi and Hamer Bouazza for Kamel Ghilas, but the score did not change as the team exchanged attacks but could not find the elusive killer blow. This result is a negative one for Tucak and his team, who said before the match that winning against Algeria in Kigali, would ease their long journey of reaching the Fifa/CAN finals ahead of continental champions, Egypt along with Zambia. The other match in Group C match between Egypt and Zambia in Cairo had not yet been played by press time. The top team in this 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

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Tucak positive despite goalless draw