Junior Wasps soar past Namibia

AYC qualifiers, 2nd legRwanda 2-1 Namibia Rwanda qualify 4-1 on aggregatesRwanda’s U-20 beat Namibia 2-1 to book a place in the second round of the 18th Africa Youth Championship qualifiers yesterday at Amahoro stadium.The Wasps who outplayed their opponents missed early chances in the first half came back to seal their passage to the next round. Farouk Ruhinda, Bon Fils Kabanda and Kipson Atuheire came close to scoring however Namibia’s custodian, Edward Maova was up to the task.Namibians had their best chance through Itamunua Keimuine who shot wide. Playing on a slippery Amahoro pitch, the junior wasps regrouped in the second half and managed to display some entertaining football.Rayon Sports midfielder Tumaine Ntamuhanga scored the opening goal just a minute from recess thanks to one-two with Kipson Atuheire.Four minutes later, skipper Wangu Gome beat off a defensive error from Francois Habyarimana to equalise for the visitors.After the equaliser, coach Richard Tardy decided to make a few changes bringing in Mukura striker Emmanuel Sebanani for Ruhinda and Patrick Sibomana for inactive Bon Fils Kabanda.The changes paid off as Belgium-based, Antwerp defender Solomon Nirisarike scored the winner with four minutes to the end of the game. Nirisarike met a raring ball from Sibomana’s free kick which goalie Maova failed to clear only to find the former SEC academy player in clear position to pounce on.The overall display of the junior wasps was good with Bonny Bayingana playing an impressive role in the midfield while Nirisarike and skipper Emery Bayisenge were all instrumental at the back.With two goals scored in the first leg, Rwanda marched into the second round 4-1 goal aggregate. They now face a hard task against Mali with whom they will host first between July 27-29 before playing away in Bamako between August 10-12.Mali finished fourth behind Super Eaglets who won the title last year in South Africa with Cameroon finishing in second place. The top eight teams in Africa will fight for glory in Algeria from where the best four qualify for the World U-20 Championships scheduled for June 2013 in Turkey.