Skipper Karekezi confident ahead of crucial game

2010 WC/CAN qualifier
Egypt v Rwanda 8:30pm

AMAVUBI Stars’ skipper Olivier Karekezi claims that the team is ready to give Egypt a good run for their money in today’s 2010 World/Africa Nations Cup qualifier.

The crunch tie, to be played at Cairo International stadium will make or break Rwanda’s faint hopes of playing in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

During the team’s final session before departure, Karekezi told Times Sport that the team was very focused on the task at hand and ready to give their all.

"From what I have seen in the dressing room, morale is high and the players are ready to battle,” the Ham Kam midfielder said.

"Whoever makes the starting eleven will give their all because it’s a do or die for us,” he added.

Rwanda is under pressure to win after an awful start to their 2010 campaign. Amavubi who have looked weak in front of goal have only managed a point from a possible six after a goalless home draw against Algeria and a 0-1 defeat way to Zambia.

Amavubi Stars head coach Branko Tucak knows that his side must come out ready to fight hard against the African champions who find themselves at the wrong end of the group after a stuttering start to their campaign.

The African champions slumped to an opening home draw with Zambia, before losing soundly in Algeria to cast doubts over their World Cup hopes.

However, Egypt fresh from the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa head into Sunday’s tie beaming with confidence after a spirited display in South Africa.

Despite being ejected at the group stage, it is without doubt that the pharaohs picked up a lot of positives from their spirited displays against Italy (1-0) and eventual winners Brazil (3-4).

Algeria top Group C with seven points, three points clear of Zambia in second place. Rwanda and Egypt are separated by goal difference at the bottom of the group.

Probable line-ups:
Egypt: Essam El-Hadary, Mahmoud Fathallah, Ahmed Al-Muhammad, Ahmed Said, Mohamed Zidan, Ahmed Eid Abdel Malek, Mohamed Shawky, Mohamed Homos, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika

Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Bonaventure Hategikimana, Hamad Ndikumana, Boubakary Saddou, Mbuyu Twite, Jean Mugiraneza, Mutesa Mafisango, Haruna Niyonzima, Olivier Karekezi, Bokota Labama, Jean Paul Lutula. 

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