CHAN qualifier: Four key battles that will shape Rwanda vs Ethiopia tie

The national football team will welcome the Walia Ibex of Ethiopia in the second leg of the 2023 CHAN qualifiers at the Huye Stadium on Saturday, September 3. The first leg in Dar es Salaam ended in a barren draw and both countries have all to play for in Huye as they seek to grab a ticket to the 2023 CHAN tournament in Algeria. Times Sport takes a look at four key battles to look out for in Saturday’s encounter. Haruna Niyonzima vs Yohanes Amanuel It was a keenly contested midfield battle between Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima and the Ethiopian youngster in the first leg last week. Both Niyonzima and Amanuel play the same style as they are workaholics and have abundance of energy. Saturday will be another tightly contested tie between the two players and it will be exciting to see who comes up on top. Ramadan Yesuf vs Ali Serumogo Both players are marauding full backs who always want to take the ball to the opponent’s half. Ramadan is one of the best left backs in the Ethiopian league and has been consistent with the Walia Ibex whereas Ali Serumogo is also among the top players in the Rwanda premier league. In the first game in Dar es Salaam, they played against each other and Serumogo was the one who ended up doing more defensive duties as he couldn’t overlap because of Ramadan’s threat. On Saturday, one has to shut the other down again before getting the chance to operate. Jacques Tuyisenge vs Mignot Debebe Tuyisenge came on in the second half in the first leg and made a big impression in the Amavubi attack with his direct runs through the middle. At one point, Debebe had to keep a close eye on him because of his pace and artistry when he gets the ball. Tuyisenge is likely to start on Saturday as Amavubi need goals and it will be interesting to see how Mignot Debebe fares against him. Claude Niyomugabo vs Dawa Hotessa Dawa Hotessa and his attacking partner Chernet Gugesa caused incessant problems for the Amavubi back four especially Claude Niyomugabo who operated on the left side of defence. In one instance, Niyomugabo was turned inside out but Chernet’s effort missed the target narrowly. Dawa will be attacking from the right on Sunday if coach Wubetu Abate decides to go with a three-man attack and Niyomugabo must be at his best to stop him from operating.

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CHAN qualifier: Four key battles that will shape Rwanda vs Ethiopia tie