AMAVUBI STILL STAND A CHANCE

The national football team, Amavubi, may not be one of the continent’s football powerhouses, but over time they have proven more than capable against some of the continent’s top teams like Nigeria and Ghana when they play in front of their fans at Amahoro Stadium. While Amavubi are at the bottom of Group Two with just a point, thanks to a goalless draw in their opening game at home against Algeria in March, the team should not be counted out, as it has proven capable on several occasions when they have been written off. In qualifying for this stage the team surpassed all expectations with the successes among them against Morocco. And the team should take inspiration from the past impressive performances in the previous stage. Rwanda’s target now is qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and that they can achieve it today with a win against Egypt. In football, home advantage is a critical factor and it is no secret that Amavubi are ready to pounce on the advantage as they seek revenge for their 3-0 first leg mauling in Cairo. The team will be looking to players like Jimmy Gatete, Hamad Ndikumana and Olivier Karekezi to win the game.There is no doubt that trio still stands out as the country’s all-time leading performers. The veteran Gatete, who has scored some very important goals for Rwanda in the past, seems to have returned to his best form after scoring in last month’s international friendly against Tanzania. Rwanda qualified for the Nations Cup finals for the first time ever with a sensational Gatete goal over Ghana in Kigali in 2004. At the start of play Rwanda laid bottom of Group, but a second half goal from Jimmy Gatete was enough to cause a football earthquake on the continent. So qualification hasn’t been a assured for Egypt and they can be in for a surprise against Rwanda. With all the support, the team,can relive the memories of 2004. Ends

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AMAVUBI STILL STAND A CHANCE