Ahead of Saturday’s qualifier against Benin

JEAN Marie Ntagwabira has tipped Amavubi to put their 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifying campaign back on track by defeating Benin this Saturday.

The SC Kiyovu coach commands a lot of respect on the local scene after being part of Rotamir Dujkovic’s coaching staff that steered Rwanda to their maiden CAN appearance back in 2004.

Ntagwabira, who was Dujkovic’s assistant, will this morning lead out his re-energised Kiyovu side for what is Amavubi’s final build-up ahead of their must win game against the Squirrels.

The wasps got off to a wobbly start in the qualifying campaign after losing to Ivory Coast 3-0 in Abidjan early last month.

The result left them bottom in Group H but Ntagwabira is adamant that Amavubi have what it takes to bounce back with a much needed win.

"Frankly speaking, I don’t think many people expected Amavubi to get a result in Abidjan. But I’m sure the boys are pumped up for the Benin game and can get that precious win to put their CAN hopes back on track,” he said.

"Benin were held to a 1-1 draw in Porto-Novo by Burundi so I think Amavubi will draw some inspiration from that.”

To try pick up the side from a rather disappointing display against Burundi, Benin coach Jean Marc Nobilo has summoned ten professionals for Saturday’s tie, according to Benin newspaper Le Quotidien.

The list includes Koukou Djiman (Us Créteil/National-France), Sessègnon Stéphane (Psg/France), Boco Romuald (Sligo Rovers/Irlande), Adénon Khaled (Le Mans Fc/L2-France), Imorou Emmanuel (Châteauroux/L2/France), Poté Mickaël (Ogc Nice/France),Omotoyossi Razak (Swansea Fc/D2-Pays de Galle),Chrysostome Damien (Denizlispor/D2-Turquie),Kobéna Nouhoum (Al Madina/Libye) and Tchomogo Séïdath (Al-Oruba Sports Club/Oman).

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