YesterdayMalawi 2-0 Rwanda WC/Africa Cup QualifiersJune 6Zambia v Rwanda Amavubi Stars got a rude awakening ahead of next Saturday’s crunch 2010 World Cup/CAN qualifier against Zambia after yesterday’s 2-0 defeat against Malawi. Similar to Malawi’s Flames who have a stern test against Burkina Faso on June 6, the wasps were hoping for a positive result to boost their morale unfortunately, Tucak Branko and his men now have to dig even deeper than they thought if they are going to pull off a positive result in Lusaka. Rwanda who were playing from Blantyre’s Kamuza stadium started off well and threatened with a number of shots on the Malawi goal but the hosts took charge of proceedings after half time. According to reports from Malawi, Branko’s half time substitutions (Ismail Nshutinamagara and Aimable Rucogoza) have been widely blamed for the defeat as the pair failed to fit in the team’s already settled formation. Rucogoza was at fault for both goals as Malawi’s Mozambique based striker Chuikepo Sowooia scored a brace. Despite the defeat, Amavubi’s technical bench is refusing to back down insisting that the squad can still recuperate and get a win in Zambia. Yesterday’s game was a warm up for the Zambia qualifier which is scheduled for June 6 in Lusaka. While Rwanda thinks of ways to recover, Malawi got the perfect result to boost their confidence after suffering a devastating 5-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in their first 2010 World Cup/ CAN qualifier back in march. Rwanda like all the other teams in Group C have one point after their goalless draw in their opening qualifier against Algeria. Egypt and Zambia also settled for a point after their 1-1 draw in Cairo. Amavubi will fly to Zambia on June 3, three days before the crunch qualifier. Ends
