Junior wasps out to win

TodayRwanda vs Botswana 3.30pmA year after taking part in the Fifa World cup finals, Rwanda’s U-17 team finds itself in a tricky position in their bid for qualification to next year’s 10th edition of the Africa Championship in Morocco.The junior wasps host Botswana’s Young Zebras this afternoon at Amahoro stadium needing to win by a two goal margin if they are to be assured of a place in the last qualifying round.Despite dominating the first leg, the junior wasps fell to a second half sucker goal courtesy of Allan Ndodore at Molepolole Sports Complex a week ago.Head coach Richard Tardy says his team will go for offensive from the first whistle. “These are young boys that need everyone’s support. I call upon fans to come out and support the team and I am sure it will not let them down.”“We have to score if we are to progress, which means our approach will not be different from the first leg. I have told the player to attack more than we defend, but at the same time we need to be cautious of Botswana’s counter attacks,” added Tardy. The Frenchman, however, cautioned against blaming the players in case they fail to win today’s match since, according to him, “they never had enough preparations.”“Our Preparations were not good enough, so whatever happens tomorrow (today) should be appreciated but I promise these youngsters are ready to give their best and make sure we progress to the next round,” he stated.However, in Botswana counterpart, Kagiso Kobedi said that his team is ready and confident to hold on to their slender lead and reach the next round.“It will not be easy because Rwandans will be playing at home with the backing from home fans. I have cautioned my boys to only focus on displaying good football and ensure they don’t concede,” he told Times Sport.While Rwanda is looking to make a second appearance in the African Junior Championship, Botswana is desperate to make their debut in the tournament which also serves as a qualifier for the Fifa U-17 World Cup.The winner over the two-legged qualifier will face the winner between Sudan and Algeria in the final qualifying leg due later this year.