Under pressure Amavubi need to score against Taifa Stars

Friendly matches
Today
Rwanda      v  Tanzania
Egypt      v  Guinea
Algeria      v  Uruguay
Ghana      v  Zambia

With the must win 2010 World/CAN qualifier against Egypt fast approaching, the national team need to win today’s friendly match against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars not only for team’s the confidence building but also to have the fans keep their belief in the team.

The under pressure Amavubi Stars will lock horns with Taifa Stars in an international friendly match this afternoon at Nyamirambo stadium.

Tucak Branko’s team, which has been under-going intensive training for the last two weeks, is using today’s game as part of the preparations for next month’s 2010 World Cup/CAN qualifier against the African champions.

Amavubi assistant head coach Eric Nshimiyimana said, "We are prepared to win tomorrow’s (today) game. We have had enough time to train and prepare for this match and we are positive on winning,”

"The players are in the right shape and we have successfully concluded our  preparations before we play Tanzania. We have the right players to assemble against Taifa Stars.

"We have told the players to combine efforts and at least record a win because it’s been a while without any victory for Amavubi team. Once they win against Taifa Stars, they will play Egypt with high confidence,” Nshimiyimana said.

With several key players including the captain Olivier Karekezi, striker Labama Bokota, defender Boubakary Saddou and the two most versatile players on the team, Mbuyu Twite and Patrick Mafisango all missing the game, Tucak will have to change his game plan with the players he has as he comes against an impressive Taifa Stars handled by Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo.

Karekezi and Saddou were excused because they are looking for new clubs; Bokota is attending to family issues while Mbuyu and Mafisango are both suspended for the Egypt game, so Tucak omitted them from his squad for today’s game.

Tucak and his players will be under pressure not only to impress in-front of the home crowd but most importantly to win after going five international matches without a win, just a draw  and four defeats.E

The team has failed to score even a single goal in the last five matches, losing 2-0 to Morocco, 0-0 against Algeria, 2-0 against Malawi, 1-0 to Zambia and the latest goal drought continued in the 3-0 loss to Egypt early last month.

Ends