Wednesday

DR Congo 2-3 Rwanda

CHAN 2020 Qualifier

September 22 (first-leg) Ethiopia Vs Rwanda

Rwanda’s senior football team (Amavubi) fly to Ethiopia this afternoon ahead of their CHAN Qualifier after stunning DR Congo in an international friendly match in Kinshasa, on Wednesday night.

Amavubi battled from a goal down to beat the Leopards of DR Congo 3-2 at Stade de Martyrs, with Thierry Manzi, Ernest Sugira and Eric ‘Zidane’ Nsabimana all on the target with one goal each.

Ava Dongo put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute, but APR centre-back Manzi equalized after three minutes, with both sides going into half-time level 1-1. 

Striker Ernest Sugira – who spent the 2016-17 season with DR Congo giants AS Vita Club – put Vincent Mashami’s team into command at the hour-mark before AS Kigali midfielder Nsabimana made it 3-1 just after two minutes.

Through Joel Beya, two-time CHAN winners DR Congo scored their second goal with four minutes, but the visitors – who looked a more cohesive unit – since then pressed high to allow no space for the home side to settle on the ball until central referee Ndara Ngambo pointed to the centre circle to confirm the dramatic comeback victory. 

After yesterday’s win, Mashami and his men were due to hold a light training session this morning before flying to Ethiopia in the afternoon. 

Rwanda face the Walias of Ethiopia at Mekelle Stadium on Sunday, in the first leg of their 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers final round tie. The decisive clash due October 19 at Kigali Stadium.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com