[PHOTOS]: Rwanda lose final group game, Ivorians advance

Sunday Group A Rwanda 1-4 MoroccoIvory Coast 4-0 Gabon Monday Group B DR Congo vs Cameroon 4pm SS9/RTVEthiopia vs Angola 4pm Already through to the quarter-finals and guaranteed of top Group A spot, hosts Rwanda fielded a weakened side in their last group game of the 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) on Sunday, which went on to lose 1-4 to Morocco. Amavubi pose in a group photo before the kick off. The Rwanda vs Morocco match was played at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali at 4p.m, at the same time as the other tie that pitted Ivory Coast against Gabon at Huye Stadium in Huye, which the former also won 4-1. Rwanda was the first country to qualify to the knockout stages after beating Gabon 1-0 on Wednesday to take their points to six out of six, while the Elephants of Ivory Coast, who had lost their opening game against Rwanda 1-0, also secured a berth in the quarter-finals following yesterday’s win. Ernest Sugira, Amavubi striker protects the ball from Morrocan defenders, Issam Erraki (center) and Azziz Mohamed (#15) Both Rwanda and Ivory Coast tied at six points but the hosts lead their group thanks to their head-to-head advantage over the West African giants, with Morocco finishing third with four points, while Gabon managed only one point. Morocco and Gabon are both out of the tournament. Amavubi will meet the team that will finish second in Group B, most likely Cameroon (four points) or DR Congo (six points), with the two scheduled to play against each other on Monday in Huye. In the other Group B tie, Ethiopia, with one point, will take on Angola, who are already out of the competition. Ernest Sugira, the Amavubi striker (C) fights for the ball with Mohammed Amine (L), Moroccan goal keeper and Brahim Nakach (R) as other players look on. Yesterday, at Amahoro stadium, Morocco opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Abdelghani Mouaoui who pounced on a through pass from Achchakir to send a powerful shot past second-choice goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera, who started in goal in the place of Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye. Kwizera was one of the eight changes that Johnny McKinstry made from the team that beat Gabon 2-1 in the previous game. Amavubi fans celebrate their first and only goal. Mohamed Aziz added a second goal for Morocco in the 24th minute before Hegman Ngomirakiza pulled one back for the home side moments later. However, Morocco restored their two-goal cushion in the 38th minute through Abdeladim Khadrouf. The Amavubi defence of Abdul Rwatubyaye, Faustin Usengimana, Ngirinshuti Mwemere and Michel Rusheshangoga, who was later replaced by Fitina Ombalenga, continued to struggle, and a minute before the break, Mouaoui made it 4-1 with his second goal of the afternoon. Sugira tries to control the ball past the Moroccan Defender Issam Erraki.(All photos Timothy Kisambira) Ernest Sugira, who netted twice against Gabon, had a good chance, but goalie Muhammed Amine Bourkadi thwarted his effort. “Well, we are disappointed with the result from this game. We made changes to avoid getting second yellow cards to the players who were booked previously but we also wanted to give a chance to other players,” Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry said in a post-match briefing. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: Rwanda lose final group game, Ivorians advance