Saturday (June 6)
2010 World Cup/CAN qualifier
Zambia v Rwanda

Despite Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Malawi, former Amavubi assistant coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga believes that the Amavubi Stars can still keep their 2010 World Cup/ CAN hopes intact with a win in Lusaka.

A tough test awaits Tucak Branko’s wasps this Saturday when they take on Zambia in a crunch 2010 World Cup/CAN qualifier.

Kayiranga, who recently took over as Rayon Sport head coach argued that although friendlies provide a testing ground for teams, it is not good to dwell so much on the results.

"Well, I did not watch the friendly but from my experience, most coaches use friendlies to test their tactics and also give players match practice. Before Amavubi’s departure, I watched one of their build up games against AS Kigali and they looked in good shape especially Bokota Labama.”

"I think they still have the quality and zeal to edge Zambia on Saturday,” he said.

Amavubi is seeded in Group C with Zambia, Egypt and Algeria and like all the other teams in the group; they have one point after their goalless draw against Algeria back in March.

Meanwhile, Fifa has demanded that Malawi football authorities improve safety at their national stadium for next month’s World and nations Cup qualifying matches.

The world football body told Malawian authorities to limit the crowd to 25,000 inside the 50,000-capacity Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre when it plays Burkina Faso on 6 June.

Fifa also ordered standing areas in the stadium to be closed.
A perimeter fence, guarded by police, must be installed at least 300 meters from the entry gates.

The global body is stepping up action after 19 fans died and more than 130 were injured in a crush at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan before Ivory Coast played Malawi in March.

Fatal crushes have occurred at African grounds when too many people without tickets have been allowed inside the stadiums.

Fifa has also sought to improve fans’ safety by giving referees and match officials increased power to delay kickoffs "unless security is established outside the stadia and spectators have taken their seats.”

In other news the Abidjan tragedy has been extended after Fifa said it needed more time to interview city and football authorities in the Ivory Coast.

Five African nations will advance to the 2010 World Cup finals being played in South Africa from a qualifying tournament which is completed in November.

The hosts South Africa will qualify as the sixth African nation automatically.

Ends