Qualify and hit jackpot

AMAVUBI Stars have even more reason to down Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Saturday’s decisive Africa Nations Cup (CAN) qualifier at Amahoro Stadium. The players stand to pocket huge bonuses if Rwanda qualifies for next year’s CAN in Angola. Tucak Branko’s team needs to win by a two-goal margin to secure that elusive CAN slot. Usually, a player pockets $1500(Rwf0.85m) for a win and $1000(Rwf 0.57m) for a draw but Sports and Culture minister Joseph Habineza yesterday revealed that they would bag much more than that if Rwanda makes it to Angola. “We can’t disclose the exact figures right now but one thing for sure is that the players will get huge sums if they see us through to Angola,” the minister confirmed. At the start of the 2010 World/Africa Nations Cup qualifiers’ campaign, the Sports Ministry promised to build executive apartments for every Amavubi player if Rwanda broke their World Cup jinx. But those dreams were dashed after the team’s appalling run. Branko’s wasps have struggled to find their feet in Group C where they lie bottom after managing a solitary point from a possible 15. Zambia’s Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child development has also staked $3,500(about Rwf1.9m) for each player if they beat Rwanda. For a draw, the players will pocket $1,750 (about Rwf0.99m). In a related development, Branko should be a fairly relieved man after the arrival of Mbuyu Twite (Eric Gasana). The AWOL APR player, who according to reliable sources has been undergoing trials with new African Club Champions TP Mazembe, is without doubt a huge boost to the team that is already depleted in defense after injury blows to Edwin Ouon (AEL Limassol) and Saddou Boubakary (Al Ahly Tripoli). The former APR captain last featured for Amavubi during the side’s 0-3 loss to Egypt. He was sent off in the same game forcing him to sit out Egypt’s return leg as well as Algeria’s away tie. Ends

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Qualify and hit jackpot