ThursdayRwanda legends 5-3 Uganda legends

Ex-Amavubi stars displayed excellent performance to thrash their Ugandan counterparts 5-3 in a friendly match played on Thursday at Kigali Regional Stadium.

Former APR and Rayon Sports striker Bokota Labama Kamana scored a brace, with skipper Olivier Karekezi, Said Abed Makasi and Karim Kamanzi netting the other goals in a game which was watched by many football fans.

The Amavubi team came from behind following Vincent Kayizi’s early strike in the first half after the former APR FC striker beat Amavubi defenders to shoot past Ramadhan Nkuzingoma.

Bokota, who currently plays for relegated side AS Muhanga, equalized in the 23rd minute following good exchange with Karekezi and Makasi. Makasi doubled the lead in the 40th minute off a good cross from Bokota to score a brilliant strike past Sam Kawalya.

After recess, Kamanzi, who had replaced Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, scored the third goal in the 49th minute before Bokota added his second of the afternoon and a fourth for the Rwandan side, past Ibrahim Mugisha, who had replaced Kawalya in goal for the Ugandan team.

Karekezi scored the fifth goal of the game before coach Aloys Kanamugire rested his top guns.

The Ugandan side pressed harder to salvage their pride and their efforts paid off with substitute Philip Ssozi scoring their second goal in the 71st minute before Kayizi further reduced the deficit in the 81st minute.

The match was staged to pay tribute to departed former Rwanda internationals; Jean Marie Ntagwabira and Patrick Mutesa Mafisango.

After the match, the ex-internationals gave donations to Ntagwabira and Mafisango’s families as a sign of solidarity and recognition for their contribution to the development of football in Rwanda.

The Rwandan side was composed of mainly players who helped the country qualify for the 2004 Africa Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

The game was also aimed to inspire upcoming footballers, who have never met the ex-internationals but only watched them on TV competing in several AFCON qualifiers and the eventual 2004 AFCON finals in Tunis, which was Rwanda’s maiden appearance.

Starting line-ups:

Rwanda: Ramadan Nkunzingoma, Bonaventure Hategekimana, Hamadi ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana, Elias Ntaganda, Ashraf Munyaneza, Eric Nshimiyimana, Olivier Karekezi, Baptiste Kayiranga, Jimmy Mulisa, Bokota Labama, Saidi Abedi Makasi.

Uganda: Sam Kawalya, Simeon Masaba, Daniel Ntare, Andy Lule, George Semwogerere, Abdallah Mubiru, Vincent Kayizi, Hakim Magumba, Philip Obwiny, James Odoch, Kefa Kisala.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw