Friendlies

Feb. 24

Cameroon Vs Rwanda

Feb. 28

Rwanda Vs Congo-Brazzaville

National football team (Amavubi) captain Thierry Manzi says that the upcoming friendly matches against Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville will give the team a perfect opportunity to gauge their readiness for the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals slated in Cameroon from April, 4-25.

Amavubi will take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Yaoundé on February 24 before hosting the Red Devils of Congo-Brazzaville on February 28 in Kigali.

Manzi, who plays for APR, cautioned fans not to expect wins over the two teams since the national side will also be trying out different tactics and formations.

"We are lucky that we will play against one of the tournament favourites which is Cameroon. Congo-Brazzaville is also a very solid team which regularly takes part in elite competitions on the continent. Our fans should not expect good results from both friendlies because it is just an opportunity to gauge tactics and formations,” Manzi said. 

Amavubi booked its CHAN 2020 ticket after edging out Ethiopia 2-1 aggregate last year thanks to two goals from striker Ernest Sugira in either leg of the double-header tie.

Like other qualified countries, Rwanda will know its opponents for the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2020) in the official draw of the final tournament that will be held on February 17 at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports de Yaoundé in Yaoundé.

Amavubi will be competing in CHAN for a fourth time overall and third in a row since hosting the 2016 edition where Rwanda was knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners DR Congo.

CHAN is a football reserved for players featuring in their respective local leagues and is contested by 16 teams split into four groups. Amavubi, Uganda Cranes and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania will represent the Cecafa region at this year’s competition.