Rwanda on track for African youth title

Build up GamesSundayRwanda 2-0 Congo, BrazzavilleWednesday Atraco v Congo, Brazzaville It may have been just a friendly but after beating the holders Congo Brazzaville 2-0, Rwanda’s U-20 team sent a warning to other countries about it’s capability to win the African title when the competition comes home next January. Second half goals from Elias Uzamukunda and Jean Baptista Mugiraneza sunk the reigning champions on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Nyamirambo stadium.The visiting side dominated the opening 45 minutes of the game, forcing Eric Ndayishimiye in Rwanda’s goal to pull off crucial saves. But the home team came back from the break and looked the better side with APR midfielder Mugiraneza looking menacing in the central midfield. After the game, assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana talked of how Rwanda is capable of not only reaching the final but win it when the championship is hosted in Kigali next year. Nshimiyimana said, “If we keep going with this momentum, we shall have a strong team which could win the African title”. According to the ex-Rwandan international, the team will now take a week’s rest and resume training on April 1. Rwanda’s game with Congo Brazzaville is one of many international build-up games that the local federation has planed for the team as part of its preparation for next year’s championship. Ferwafa plans to invite South Africa in a similar build up game due in April (with dates yet to be confirmed) before traveling to either Germany or Japan in April to enhance their training. Rwanda who bowed out of the last year’s African championships at the preliminary second round stage after losing to Nigeria 0-6 on goals aggregates, hopes for a better show this time round. Congo Brazzaville won last year’s title which was held on its home soil after overcoming Nigeria 1-0 in the final game.The winner of next year’s African youth championship in Rwanda will automatically qualify to the finals of the 2009 World Cup due in Cairo, Egypt. Meanwhile, the visiting Congo Brazzaville is set to play another friendly game with the national league side Atraco tomorrow at Nyamirambo stadium.Ends

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Rwanda on track for African youth title