CAN Hopes revived

2012 CAN qualifiersYesterdayRwanda 3-1 BurundiMalawi 1-0 TogoTanzania 2-1 CAR TodayIvory Coast vs Benin Amavubi Stars is back in hunt for a place at the 2012 Nations Cup finals following a deserved 3-1 win over Burundi in a group H match played yesterday at Kigali Regional stadium, Nyamirambo. Amavubi’s goals were scored by Jean Claude Iranzi on 34th minute, Elias Uzamukunda (45) and Eric Gasana (88). Burundi’s consolation goals came through Trabzonspor’s based midfielder Papy Faty’ on 36th minute.Burundi, who dominated the opening stages of the game with their excellent passing in the middle of the pack, could have killed off the game in the first half when striker Saido Ntibazonyiza dribbled past Ismail Nshutinamagara before unleashing a low shot past goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye for only Patrick Mafisango cleared his lines. Dugarry Ndabashinze, who plies his trade for FC Genk of Belgium, enjoyed most of the first half with his superb passing ability.Iranzi benefited from Haruna Niyoznima’s set piece to unleash a perfect shot which took a heavy deflection off the legs skipper Valery Nahayo. A few moments later, Faty rose above Mafisango to head in Burundi’s equalizer. However, a clinical counter-attack initiated by Eric Gasana (Mbuyu Twite), proved vital for Sellas Tetteh’s team. The APR defender dribbled past three defenders only to be fouled by Hassan Hakizimana inside the penalty area. AS Cannes striker Elias Uzamukunda converted the resulting spot kick on the stroke of half time, for his first senior international goal. Amavubi, who looked jaded in the midfield in the first half, returned from recess much stronger but chances were few and far between for both teams. Two minutes to stoppage time, Gasana scored the third goal from a long range free kick to earn Rwanda’s first points of this qualifying campaign. Victory sends the Amavubi Stars to third position with three points while Burundi falls to fourth spot with one point. Today, group leaders, Ivory Coast take on second placed Benin in Accra. The match was pushed to Accra instead of Abidjan because of the political violence in the country. Ivory Coast leads Group H with maximum six points, two ahead of rivals Benin. Ends