The Stade du 26 Mars in southern Bamako will be packed with thousands of football fans on Saturday, October 29, when the Rwanda U23 team plots to defy the odds and cause a major upset by qualifying for the 2023 U23 AFCON in Morocco.
The Amavubi U23 side recorded a 1-1 draw with Mali's Junior Eagles in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the qualifiers played in Huye, southern Rwanda on October 22.
The return leg game promises to be very exciting. Times Sport takes a look at five key battles which fans should look out for.
Yoro Mamadou Diaby vs Moise Nyarugabo
The Malian skipper was a pillar at the back in the first leg in Huye as he put up a great show by stabilizing his team's defense. But he had a tough time dealing with Moise Nyarugabo when the latter decided to exert himself into the game. It will be another intriguing battle between the two as one has to put the brakes on the other.
Thiemoko Diarra vs Clement Niyigena
Diarra who plays his club football for Team B of Stade Reims in France will find a tough customer in Amavubi U23 skipper Clement Niyigena. Niyigena was solid at the back in the first leg. He defended gallantly and gave Diarra no room to operate in attack. At home, things might be different and it will be interesting to see how Diarra fares against Niyigena.
Abdourhamane Toure vs Moses Nyamurangwa
It was a tough midfield battle between 20-year-old Toure and Moses Nyamurangwa in the first leg in Huye.
The CS Sfaxien midfielder is a workaholic with a highly regarded work rate. He can dictate the pace of the game. Nyamurangwa is also the engine of the Amavubi U23 team and one has to shut down the other if his team is to qualify.
Nankoma Keita vs Kamanzi Ashraf
These are two players with the same style and a very high work rate in the midfield. Both were among the top performers in the first leg in Huye and they exhibited good football skill in midfield. Whoever comes up top in this battle will help determine the outcome of the game for his side.
Anicet Ishimwe vs Fady Coulibaly
Ishimwe has an arduous task on Saturday. He has to face Coulibaly who operates just infront of the back four.
Whiles Ishimwe is skilful and tends to hold the ball for too long, Coulibaly is a destroyer who spoils formation. The Djoliba AC enforcer is also a hard tackler and very difficult to beat on a one on one scenario.
If Ishimwe decides to hold the ball, there is no way he can go past Coulibaly. He must simply try moving to empty spaces for the ball which is the only way out for him to prevail. And he must make quick decisions.