Tardy targets win in Bamako

AYC QualifiersAugust 11Mali vs RwandaJUNIOR Wasps head coach Richard Tardy says his U-20 team will have no room for faux pas when they take on Mali in the return leg of the Africa Youth championship qualifier scheduled for August 11 in Bamako.The Rwandan team beat Mali 2-1 in the first leg held in Kigali on Sunday and they will only need a draw to be assured of qualification to the final round.Tardy told Times Sport yesterday that they will not sit back and defend despite having a one-goal advantage.“We have one goal more but need to try our luck and win in Bamako. We must head to Bamako with a winning spirit.“It will be a different game but the players have gained much confidence from winning two big games back to back. We beat Nigeria (in a friendly) last week and then Mali. We must be calm and prepare well,” the Frenchman stated.The man, who led Rwanda’s U-17 team to the Fifa World Cup in Mexico last year, added, “It is good that Salomon (Nirisarike) will be coming back to the squad after missing the first leg with an injury and I hope Emery Bayisenge will return to training soon.”“The most important thing is to get a good result in Bamako and proceed to the final round and I believe the players are ready for the task,” added Tardy.The Junior Wasps came from behind to beat Mali 2-1 in a tight game which the hosts dominated but squandered plenty of goal scoring opportunities.Mali grabbed the lead through Diallo Sambo on 22nd minute following a poor goalkeeping error from Olivier Kwizera, who was later substituted with a soar ankle. However, Emmanuel Sebanani (75) and Patrick Umwungeli (90) scored in the last 15 minutes to earn victory for the home side.The winner, over the two legs, will face either Lesotho or Zambia in the final qualifier before the finals in Algeria next year.Seven qualifying teams will join hosts Algeria for the 2013 AYC finals.

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Tardy targets win in Bamako