Rwanda faces a CHAN 2024 qualification dilemma with Saturday’s second leg clash against South Sudan at Amahoro Stadium proving not enough to decide their ticket to the finals which will take in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Amavubi lost 3-2 to South Sudan in Juba on December 22 and they must beat the same side by a bigger goal margin in the second leg and let the result decide their fate as far as a ticket to CHAN 2024 finals is concerned. ALSO READ: CHAN Qualifiers: Rwanda lose to South Sudan in Juba While many thought that eliminating South Sudan would be enough to secure a spot in the CHAN 2024 finals, the new format says otherwise. Rwanda FA Communications Manager Olivier Maurice Mutuyimana gave clarity on the situation and hinted that Amavubi cannot qualify through the normal route as Sudan already have 6 points after defeating Ethiopia over two legs. “We can't qualify through the normal route as the fourth team from CECAFA as Sudan is almost 70 percent through. South Sudan are also in contention as they have 3 points, Mutuyimana told Times Sport. He, however, stated that there could be a glimmer of hope should Rwanda defeat South Sudan as Tunisia and Libya have withdrawn. Libya and Tunisia withdrew from the competition, so there could be a chance for Amavubi to go through as one of the best second placed teams. This is why this return leg with South Sudan is very important for us,” he explained. In all, 19 teams will feature at the tournament and 3 are host nations. From, the remaining 16, two have withdrawn which means their position will be filled, he added. The 2024 CHAN competition which is the 8th edition will be hosted in East Africa by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
