Amavubi look to sting Cranes

Friendly matchesTodayRwanda vs Uganda 3.30pmTanzania vs CameroonLibya vs KenyaAMAVUBI Stars coach Sredojovic ‘Micho’ Milutin has challenged his players to put on brave performance against the Uganda Cranes when the two rivals meet in an international friendly this afternoon at Amahoro stadium.It may be just a friendly but the result will certainly have impact when this month’s Fifa rankings are released, and also Micho will use the game to assess his team, especially the young players ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Mali. “I want to thank the federation for organising this match. The team needs such friendly games to gain exposure and experience at the international level,” the Serb tactician told Times Sport on Tuesday.Micho is under pressure to put some wins on board after a disappointing 2012 campaign in which Rwanda lost more than it won, which, as a result, has seen the team drop further in the rankings. He said, “It’s unfortunate that some of the players we summoned did not come but I am happy with those who honoured the call. The players are working hard and determined to get a good result against a very good Cranes team.”Amavubi are placed bottom in Group H of the Brazil World Cup qualifiers and Micho is using Wednesday’s game as part of his preparations for the Mali clash on March 22. Amavubi have played three international warm-ups since October, last year, playing a goalless draw away to Namibia in Windhoek and another 2-all draw in Kigali, before falling to Angola 1-0 in Luanda in December.A win against the Uganda Cranes, ranked 81st in the world, will definitely boost Amavubi chances of improving their ranking. Rwanda sit 137th, and the new ranking will be on February 14.In their last meeting during the 2011 Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup finals in Tanzania, Uganda beat Rwanda 2-1 in the final.Meanwhile, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will be more concerned about how he sets his defensive lines against Amavubi. “I just want a victory as usual,” said the Scot before the team left Kampala last evening.

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Amavubi look to sting Cranes